According To Luke: The Beauty and Betrayal at The Last Supper

 According To Luke: The Beauty and Betrayal at The Last Supper

Opening Illustration:

Communion is a very special part of Christian walk. For me, I believe that taking Communion is a deep step towards mature discipleship. Communion serves as a powerful illustration of Christ’s life. From beginning to end, Communion points to the character of Christ, His death on the cross, and His eventual resurrection. It is a beautiful, symbolic act that every Christian should take seriously. I say symbolic because the early chruch believed in a term called “transubstantiation”. The early church literally believed that when you took the bread that it mysteriously and miraculously became the body of Christ. Quite literally you are eating the flesh of Christ. In the same manner, transubstantiation taught that when you took from the cup that upon entering your mouth that the juice or wine became the blood of Christ. Friends, this clearly is not true and we understand that Communion was and still is a powerful illustration of Christ’s brokenness on the cross and His blood being spilled for our forgiveness. Partaking in Communion is a wonderful symbolic tool that reminds us of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. 

I was 10 years old when I took my very first Communion. Do you remember the very first time you took the bread and the cup and truly understood it’s meaning. In fact, I might actually say that it was Holy Communion that led me to salvation. Growing up, I had a curiosity about the ordinance of Communion. Mainly, why was I not allowed to partake in it’s function. My Dad at the bread and took the cup. So did my Mom. Even my older brother was allowed to take the cup. Not me. Why? I began to ask my parents why I was not allowed to participate. I did not think it was fair and I felt like I was missing out. Their response was simple, “Stuart, the reason that you are not participating is because you have not accepted Christ as your Savior and Lord.” Well that got my 8 year old self really thinking about things? I loved Jesus. I went to VBS. I enjoyed coming to church. As the next few years passed by I grew to have a deeper understanding of why Communion was important. Communion was the introduction to a deeper level of understanding and faith that I was missing as a child but embraced in my adolescence. In November of 1988, I received Christ, I was baptized, and I was finally able to take Communion as a Christian. 

Now we practice Communion here at Eastern Shore Baptist Church. We take it some 4 times a year. We practice open Communion which means that if you are not a member of this church, you are allowed to participate. However, as a child our church practiced closed Communion. Therefore, Communion was reserved for those of church membership. So Communion for me was doubly special. Not only was I taking it as a Christian, I was taking it as a member of a larger body of Christ. Personally, I like open Communion because it reminds me that we are a part of a larger, larger than this church, body of believers that encompasses believers from all over the world and all across denominations. Communion should serves as both illustration of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and inspiration for us to serve one another as Christ served the church. We will talk about that in a moment. So, fill in this thesis statement of today’s message, the last supper is both illustration and inspiration. 

The Last Supper Is Both Illustration and Inspiration!

Background and Context:

Remember that we are coming to the close of the passion week. Believers refer to the last week of Jesus’ life as His Passion. If you recall, the last time I preached Jesus has just told His disciples to enter Jerusalem at the time of the Passover. They were to find a place for He and His disciples to share a meal together. The meal that they were taking would have taken place on a Thursday. It was on this night that Jesus will eat with His disciples, He will wash their feet, He will withdraw to pray and during that prayer He will be in agony and sweat drops of blood, He will be betrayed and Peter will deny Him. Then Friday will come and Jesus will be tortured, beaten, mocked and crucified. Trust me friends, there was nothing good about “Good Friday”. But go back to Thursday! Jesus is sitting down with His disciples, even Judas who will betray Him. He is about to, for the very first time, use this meal as a teaching tool to remind His disciples of what will happen to Him. He instructs them that they are to repeat this meal up until His second coming. It is on this night that Jesus will eat His last meal on planet earth and even still He is teaching His followers. So, let’s read this morning from Luke 22:14-24. I am reading this morning from the New Living Translation. 

Scripture:

Luke 22:14-24 NLT

[14] When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. [15] Jesus said, "I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. [16] For I tell you now that I won't eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God." [17] Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, "Take this and share it among yourselves. [18] For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come." [19] He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." [20] After supper he took another cup of wine and said, "This cup is the new covenant between God and his people-an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you. [21] "But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. [22] For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him." [23] The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing. [24] Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them.

3 Lessons Learned From The Last Supper

Lesson One: Bread Brings Life vs. 19

Luke 22:19 NLT

[19] He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."

Point:

Bread is one of the staples of our diet.  I bet just about everyone of you have a loaf of bread in your pantry at home.  We love bread.  There are so many uses.  

Sandwiches 

Toast

Even when it is a bit stale, you can make French Toast

My personal favorite…Bread Pudding. Yes, it still counts as bread. 

Even when it is rotten, you can feed it to fish, swans and ducks as my boys have done numerous times.  

I talk about bread because bread is a common staple of life. Think about it, in the worst prisons in the world, inmates are still served bread and water. Even in the direst of circumstances, bread is thought to give life. Do you remember when the Israelites were wandering in the desert. They complained that they were running out of food. They were starving. They began to tell Moses that they were better off in Egypt. At least in Egypt they had food. In the desert they were going to starve to death. So, what did God good? Well lets listen to what God does in Exodus 16:4-5. 

Exodus 16:4-5 ESV

4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.”

So the people complained and to show the people that God could do anything, He made it rain bread from heaven. That’s right, bread fell from the sky. 

What about that time when Jesus was teaching on a hillside. There were thousands in attendance listening to Him. After a while, the disciples became nervous because the people were getting hungry. They asked Jesus to send them away but Jesus refused them. This predicament sets a scene for one of Jesus’ greatest miracles. 

Matthew 14:17-20 ESV

17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.

Yet again God gives food, not just any food but bread. Specifically bread. Why? Why bread in the desert? Why bread when feeding the multitudes? Why? Because bread is symbolic of life. If you want to live, you need bread. The following quote comes from ifood.tv. Listen to what they say about bread. 

“Bread is a huge source of nutrition and contains good amount of carbohydrates and fiber. Importance of bread comes from the fact that it is a huge source of carbohydrates which are an essential part of ones daily diet. Our diet should comprise of at least 45-50 of food in the form of carbohydrates. The fibrous content in the bread keeps the digestive system in order. Since bread has many varieties such as plain, multi grain, whole wheat, etc. each of these varieties has some benefits.  Since the popularity of bread is rising, a lot of people bake their own breads at home. They add the ingredients of their choice and increase the nutritional value of the bread.

Pastries, muffins, cupcakes are a sub segment of the bread industry. The base of all these dessert items is essentially bread. These are given various shapes and sizes and beautified with toppings. All these bread based desserts are quite popular across the globe and are an integral part of celebrations and festivities.”

Bread possesses important nutrients. Bread possesses important fiber that keeps our digestive systems running at their maximum levels. Bread, especially bread-like desserts, brings people together and enhances our celebrations. Friends, we need bread like we need air. Bread, doesn’t matter if you are living in the ancient world or if you are living in modern day society, it is life. 

Point:

Potentially my favorite bread is Wonder Bread.  It’s called Wonder Bread because it is wonderful.  Jesus compares His body to bread.  His body would be punished, beaten, and broken for you and I.  He did this to appease God’s wrath against sinners.  Jesus was the original Wonder Bread.  The Bible even tells us that. 

 

John 16:20 NLT

I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.

2 Corinthians 5:19 NLT

For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.

Point:

During the Last Supper, Jesus compares His body to bread. Broken bread. Jesus’ body would be broken and thus His body would deliver life to all those who ate of it. After all, what good is bread that is never broken? What good is bread that is never torn in to and eaten? It’s no good. The only bread that is worthwhile is bread that is broken, eaten and digested. 

Certainly the body of Christ is wonderful.  It was through the body of Christ that we are reconciled with God.  His wrath was totally eliminated by Christ’s sacrifice, His broken body.  

Yet, Communion is also about coming together.  When we celebrate Communion, we come together to celebrate Jesus’ sacrifice.  God has uniquely made us with different gifts and talents.  He has brought us together even though we are all from different places and have different backgrounds.  Look at this loaf of bread.  Notice that it many pieces making up on loaf.  Communion is a blessing because we come together bringing with us our varied talents and gifts.  As we come together, we make up the body of Christ.  That’s what Paul was saying in I Corinthians 12:12-13,

I Corinthians 12:12-13 ESV

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

So friends, as you take the bread, remember the wonderful sacrifice that led us to this place of reconciliation and salvation.  Be thankful for the Bread as it points us to the wonderful Jesus. 

John 6:35 NLT

[35] Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

3 Lessons Learned From The Last Supper

Lesson One: Bread Brings Life vs. 19

Lesson Two: Blood Brings Liberation vs. 20

Luke 22:20 NLT

[20] After supper he took another cup of wine and said, "This cup is the new covenant between God and his people-an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.

Illustration:

Have you ever met Ross Solan? Ross lives in Mobile. That’s right, just a short drive across Mobile Bay. If you were to look at Ross, you probably not see anything special but Ross is actually a hero. He actually made national news back in 2018 for saving some 600 lives. How have you never heard about this hero? Is he a war hero? Did he thwart a terrorist attack? Nope. Ross Solan donates blood. When I say blood, I mean to say that Ross Solan has donated a lot of blood. Listen to this news story about Mrs. Solan. 

One Mobile man's effort to give back has saved hundreds of lives. Wednesday, he donated his 25th gallon of blood.

Over the course of 40 years, Ross Solan has donated gallons and gallons of blood.

"I just thought it was a great thing to do," he said. "It's not like it's costing me anything."

Twenty-five gallons translates into 200 donations and, more importantly, 600 lives saved.

You can only donate one pint per visit up to five times a year. It takes eight pints to make a gallon.

Sloan says he started in the 1970s and increased his goal over time.

"When you've given 2 gallons and 7 pints, you think, well maybe I can top 5 gallons," he said. "When you give 8 gallons, you say well, I'll see if I can top 10 and then 15 and 20."

Blood centers say 25 gallons is a big deal.

"Most people aim to get one gallon donation in their lifetime. A few make it to 5," LifeSouth's regional director Jacob Copper said.

Sloan is an active member in the Mobile community. He says donating blood is a part of his community service.

Friday, LifeSouth celebrated his milestone with a plaque and cake.

"Donors like Mr. Ross Sloan and others in this community who constantly give back really keep our shelves full for hospitals and patients in need," Cooper said.

It's not over at 25, Sloan says he plans to continue saving lives.

"I'm wondering if I can do 25 more," he said.

Cooper says Sloan is the first person in the region to ever donate 25 gallons.

Point:

Friends, Ross Solan proves a powerful point, blood is important. Not only does blood save lives, it also provides spiritual freedom. The Bible repeats this truth over and over again. 

Leviticus 17:11 ESV

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.

Hebrews 9:22 ESV

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

I John 1:7 ESV

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Revelation 1:5 ESV

And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.

Romans 5:9 ESV
Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

Shall I go on? I think that you are getting the point. You see, in the Old Testament, people atoned or paid for their sins by sacrificing an animal without blemish. The killing of the animal and the pouring out of its blood was meant to show the severity of sin, that sin brings death and the only way that sin could be forgiven is through blood. God knew that this system of constant butchering would not work forever, their had to be a better way, a final way. Therefore, God sent His Son Jesus to earth to pay the penalty for our sin though the shedding of His perfect blood. When we call out to Christ, we are saved by His blood. 

Illustration:

If you go back and read Genesis 4, you will be confronted with the very first murder.  Cain killed Abel. We discover that Cain hated Abel and was angry at God.  His murder spilled Abel’s blood.  This was an act of shear hate and malice.  When God confronts Cain about his act, God remarks saying,

Genesis 4:10 NIV

And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground.”

Friends, did you know that blood has a voice?  Abel’s blood cried out to God in judgement of his brother Cain.  Cain spilled Abel’s blood in hatred and Abel’s blood cried out in condemnation against his brother.  

In that moment, Cain severed the relationship he had with God, his brother, his family and his home.  Cain would be kicked out and removed.  It was a horrible punishment.  

Now, think into the future when Jesus died.  Scripture is clear that Jesus shed His blood. He bled on the cross.  Imagine what God must have heard.  Imagine what God the Father must have felt hearing the blood of the Savior crying out from the dirt. 

The story is eerily similar.  Humanity killed and innocent man and spilled His innocent blood.  Yet, as the blood of Christ called out, it did not call out in condemnation.  It called out in kindness.  It spoke forgiveness.  

What Satan thought would sever humanity forever from God actually built a bridge to God.  Think about this, everything that Cain lost in Genesis 4, was restored in Jesus.  

With Jesus we now have connection to God, we have a new brother in Jesus, we have a new heavenly family and earthly family in the church, and we know have an eternal home.  

What a difference blood can make!

3 Lessons Learned From The Last Supper

Lesson One: Bread Brings Life vs. 19

Lesson Two: Blood Brings Liberation vs. 20

Lesson Three: Betrayal Brings Lamentation vs. 21-24

Luke 22:21-24 ESV

[21] "But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. [22] For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him." [23] The disciples began to ask each other which of them would ever do such a thing. [24] Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them.

Point:

To lament is to express grief. Whenever I take Communion, rather when Communion takes me, I am reminded of the gravity of my sin. Yes, I am thankful for the sacrifice, that I am now made right with God, but still, I am saddened about the failure of my morality, the disdain that I have for righteousness, and the heartache that I must have caused God over the years. Communion is an opportunity to thank God but also to remember what you are thankful for. Communion is all about forgiveness and being right before God.

Point:

You know we often forget that Judas was at the table with Jesus. We don’t want to imagine that Judas was there. We want to see Jesus with the 11 disciples, not with 12. Why? Why do we do that? Why do we often excuse Judas from the table? You know what I think we do that? I think that when we imagine the Last Supper without Judas it is because we want an excuse to hate those who hurt us. I think the we want an excuse to clutch to anger and resentment against those who have betrayed us or hurt us. You see, if Judas is not at the table, then Jesus never served Him the cup and the bread. Jesus never disrobed to wash Judas’ feet. This means that as Jesus offered a prayer over the food, a blessing if you will, that Judas was not prayed for or blessed. You see, if Judas is not there then we do not have the example of loving our enemies, doing good to those who have hurt us or spoken ill of us, and that we will not have to serve them. 

Point:

Oh friends, I have news for us all, Judas WAS THERE! He was sitting at the table with the one man who could save him from his sins and do you know what Judas did? Judas sold Jesus out. After everything that Jesus had done for Judas, Judas sold Jesus up the river to die. We all remember what happened to Judas after he betrayed Jesus. He went back to the priests hoping that maybe what was done could be undone but it was to late. His greed had done the deed. 

Matthew 27:5 NLT

[5] Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.

Point:

Oh don’t forget that Judas was not the only betrayer. There was Peter as well. Remember Peter said that he would never leave Jesus. He would stay with Jesus even if it meant death. Yet, when the rubber met the road, Peter betrayed Jesus too. 

Matthew 26:75 NLT

[75] Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me." And he went away, weeping bitterly.

Peter denied Christ not once, not twice, but thrice! 3 times Peter turned his back on Jesus. Still, Jesus loved Peter, prayed for Peter, and served Peter. 

Point:

Oh don’t forget about Thomas, Simon the Zealot, Philip, Matthew, Jude, James the Lesser, Nathaniel, Andrew, and James. That’s right, the rest of the disciples with the exception of John all turned their back on Jesus. When Jesus hung naked from the cross, where were they? Oh right, they were hiding. 

Point:

Oh don’t forget about Stuart. That’s right I am guilty as well. Every sin that I have ever committed was against God. It was my sin that held Jesus on that cross until they were all paid for. It was all of my daily betrayals that led Jesus to the Place of the Skull. I am not better than any of them and neither are you. You see, the Last Supper or Communion teaches us about the price for our sin.  Communion is a reminder in the part that we all played in the death of Christ. It is a reminder of the gravity of our sinfulness and the horrible price that Christ paid so that we could all be adopted into the family of God. 

Point:

You see friend, I am thankful that Judas was there because I am not any better than Judas. If Jesus could fellowship with Judas, pray for Judas, even serve Judas than He can, will and do those things for me. If He can do that for me, He is doing it for you as well. The Last Supper is a blessing for me, for you, for everyone, even a betrayer. Jesus blood covers all of us and when it speaks, its says “son” or “daughter”. You are a part of the family of God today and Communion is a celebration of the steep cost that God paid for us to be a member of this family. Are you grateful this morning for that sacrifice? I know that I am.

Closing Prayer

The Last Supper Is A Blessing For Everyone...Even A Betrayer!