The Passover

• Preparing for the Passover… vs. 12-16
  • Peter and John asked Jesus where he wanted to celebrate the Passover…
    • Jesus tells them to go into Jerusalem and there they would find a man with a pitcher…
    • They were to follow him to a house – and prepare for the Passover in his Upper Room…
    • Sometimes God asks us to do things – that don’t seem to make much sense…
    • Following Jesus – sticking your head in a mail box – saving someone’s life…
    • Even if we do not understand – it all works out for the best if we obey the Lord!
  • Timeline of the Last supper – Crucifixion – Resurrection…
    • We are familiar with the Passover Feast by a different name – ‘The Last Supper’…
    • We assume this feast took place on Thursday evening because…
    • Jesus was crucified on Black Friday – or was He…
      • Jesus said He would be 3 days & 3 nights in the grave – Mark 10:34
      • It was also stated at the trial of Jesus – Mark 15:29, John 2:19
      • If you count 3 days from Friday – you don’t end up at Sunday morning
    • The day after the Sabbath…
      • No where in the Bible does it say Jesus was crucified on Friday…
      • A Friday crucifixion is a church tradition – one that most likely started with…
      • Mark 15:43 – we are told Jesus was buried the day before the Sabbath
      • The Jewish Sabbath was on Saturday – so Jesus must have died on Friday…
      • EXCEPT it turns out Saturdays were not the only Jewish ‘Sabbath days’…
    • The ‘Week of Feasts’ – Unleavened bread / Passover / First Fruits – Leviticus 23
      • The Jews use a completely different calendar than the one we use
      • During their 1^st month of the year – Nisan (our May/April) – they celebrated 3 feasts
      • 1^st – The Feast of Passover – 14^th day of the month (Nisan) – Exodus 12:18
      • 2^nd – The Feast of Unleavened Bread – lasted for 7 days – from 15^th – 22^nd
        • Important – the 1^st day of this feast – 15^th – was a special ‘Sabbath day’
        • So there were two Sabbaths during this special week of feasts!
        • This special Sabbath was THE “Sabbath” Jesus was buried the day before
      • 3^rd – Feast of first fruits – first Sunday during this week of feasts
        • Matthew 28:1–“After the Sabbath[s], as the first day of the week began to dawn.”
        • After the two Sabbath days – on Sunday – Jesus was resurrected!
        • I Corinthians 15:20–“Now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have [died].”
    • Timeline of the Last supper – Jesus crucifixion – Resurrection…
      • Tuesday – Jesus had the Last Supper – Passover – after which He was arrested
      • Wednesday – Jesus is tried and crucified (Passover lamb)
      • Thursday  – The special Sabbath Day – ‘Feast of Unleavened Bread’
      • Friday – Women prepare the spiced for Jesus – Luke 24:1
      • Saturday – regular Sabbath day of rest – then 3 days after the crucifixion…
      • Sunday – first day of the week – ‘Feast of First fruits’ – Jesus Resurrection!
    • Traditions vs. truth…
      • That does not mean we celebrate Jesus crucifixion on the wrong day – Friday…
      • The Biblical timeline does seem to point to a Wednesday crucifixion…
      • But it is not important what day Jesus died – it is that He dies for our sins
      • Yet so often we have traditions – and we do not even know why…
      • We believe a tradition – or superstition – because… (that is the only reason)
      • We do not take the time to find out if a tradition/superstition is true or not
      • That is why we study/read our Bibles – to learn what is true and why!
        
• One of you will betray Me – a call to repentance…vs. 17-21
  • After Jesus had sat down for the Passover with all His disciples
  • He let them know – one of them would betray Him – He knew about Judas!
    • This is an interesting exchange – Jesus knew who would betray Him
    • Jesus could at anytime have told everyone it was Judas – could have stopped him
    • Yet we see instead Jesus asks questions – not trying to find who would betray Him
    • Not passing judgment – not condemning – but instead giving opportunity to repent… 
    • More often than not we pass quick judgment when someone makes a mistake…
    • We like to give the Law – bring down justice – condemn those who sin…
    • But we see with Jesus a much more loving and gracious approach
  • Each of the Disciples answered, “Lord, it isn’t me?”
    • Anyone of the disciples could have been the betrayer – they were all sinners
    • We often tend to forget when others make mistakes – we are sinner as well…
    • We might think we could never – would never make that kind of mistake…
    • But the truth is we are sinners – and more than capable of any sin…
    • And when we make mistakes – we don’t want the Law – justice – we want GRACE
    • If we remember that – we will be far gentler when others make mistakes…
    • Matthew 7:2–“For others will treat you as you treat them. Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged.”
  • He who dipped his hand with me in the dish…
    • In Jewish culture there are no spoons or forks – just bread
    • Everyone dips their bread into the various sauces and meats to eat
    • In a very personal – intimate way to share you food (double dipping allowed)
    • Jesus is offering His trust and friendship to the one who would betray Him
    • Right up to the last minute Jesus extended forgiveness and love to Judas…
    • If you know someone who is struggling with sin – give them the Love of Jesus!
    • They expect judgment – they expect to be shunned – they expect to be rejected
    • When instead they get God’s Love – often it can change their heart!
    • Romans 2:4– “Knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance.”
  • Woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed…
    • The betrayal of Jesus had been prophesied – Zachariah 11:12-13
    • It was going to happen – and it was part of God’s plan of redemption…
    • None-the-less – better the one who would betray Jesus had never been born…
    • Jesus loved Judas – but He also was not going to hide the reality/truth…
    • And the price Judas would pay if he went through with his plans – was hell!
    • We are called to love others – with the goodness of God
    • That does not mean we lie to them – or hide the consequences of sin
    • We give them the truth in Love – tell them the truth because we Love them
    • Galatians 6:7–“God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”
  • Judas, who would betray Him, also asked, “Lord, it isn’t me?”
    • Judas tried to act just like all the other disciples – gave the same answer…
    • As if somehow – after all Jesus said – Jesus did not know it was him!
    • He was still trying to keep up his act – still intent on his betrayal…
    • Genesis 6:3 – “And the LORD said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever…”
    • Ultimately there comes a point then God will give someone their own way
    • If a personal continually refuses to turn to the Lord – repent
    • There will come a point when God will give them what they want…
    • If someone is intent on refusing God – refusing to go to Heaven – intent on going to hell
    • If they want their sin more than God – God will not force them to change
    • But we do not know when that point is – only God knows
    • So we keep on loving them – hoping – praying – they still choose life!
  • John 13:26-30 – satan entered him…
    • Unwilling to repent – unwilling to change – Judas sealed his fate
    • Satan entered him – and Jesus said – “what you do, do quickly.”
    • It is hard to realize/accept not everyone will go to heaven…
    • Not because God does not want them to – God wants everyone to be saved
    • II Peter 3:9 – “He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.”
    • But because they refuse the goodness of God – they refuse heaven
      
• Communion… vs. 22-25
  • Now that Judas was gone – the Lord completed the Passover meal…
  • Jesus took the bread…
    • The bread was called Matzah – it is bread without leaven (yeast)…
      • The Matzah is always pierced and stripped
      • At Passover there are 3 pieces of Matzah – only the center piece is taken
      • The center piece of the Matzah is broken – then hidden (buried)
      • The broken piece is called the Afikomen – meaning ‘He who comes’
    • The matzah – Afikomen – is a picture of Jesus Christ
      • 3 pieces of Matzah – God the Father / God the Son / God the Holy Spirit
      • Without Leaven (a picture of sin) – Jesus is perfect – without sin
      • Pierced and Striped – Isaiah 53:5 – “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”
      • Jesus was broken for our sins (the cross) and buried that we might have life
      • That is why Jesus took the Afikomen and said…
      • Luke 22:19 – “This is My body which is given for you…”
  • Jesus then took the cup…
    • This was the 3^rd of 4 cups that were part of the Passover celebration
    • Keddush (blessings) / Makkot (plagues) / Ha-Geullah (redemption) / Hallel (praise)
    • Jesus took the cup of Redemption – the Ha-Geullah and said…
    • Luke 22:20 – “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.”
    • Jesus is the Passover Lamb of God – took away the sin of the world
    • He is the Matzah – the Afikomen – sinless bread of life – who is coming again
    • He is the Ha~Geulah – the One who has redeemed us through His blood!
  • The New Covenant…
    • In His broken body and in His shed blood – He established a New Covenant!
    • We need to ask – if there is a New Covenant – what was the Old…
      • The Old Covenant was all about what we had to do – the ‘to do’ list…
      • It gave us 613 commands – all of which we had to follow – every day…
      • Example – prayer after every meal – Deuteronomy 8:10
      • If we made one mistake – broke even 1 law – we deserved judgment – James 2:10…
    • The New Covenant (promise) did away with the Old…
      • Hebrews 8:13–“When God speaks of a new covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and ready to be put aside.”
      • It was the Covenant of ‘Better promises’ – Hebrews 8:6
      • God will write His word on our mind and in our hearts – Jeremiah 31:33-34
      • He will be our God – make us His people – forgive our sin and remember it no more!
      • The New (better) covenant is no longer about what we have to do
      • It is instead all about what God has already done for us…
      • Because Jesus body was broken – we no longer are under the Law (613)!
      • Because Jesus shed His blood – we have forgiveness of all our sins!
      • Because Jesus was the Passover Lamb – we get to go to heaven forever!