“Worship the King” Part 2 “Celebrating Communion” Matthew 26: 17-30

“Last Supper”

Preparing for a meal On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"

Preparing for a meal He replied, "Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, 'The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.'

Preparing for a meal So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

Preparing for a meal The Jewish day began at sundown and ended at sundown. This “meal” was a “commemorative meal, prescribed in Exodus 12:1-27

Preparing for a meal My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.

Preparing for a meal Jesus death, burial and resurrection was not a surprise to him – it was intentional!

Exposing a betrayer When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."

Exposing a betrayer They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?"

Exposing a betrayer Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me.

Exposing a betrayer The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."

Exposing a betrayer Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you."

A Biblical order of the events Beginning to eat the Passover meal after evening came (Matt.26:20) Dissension among the disciples as to who is the greatest (Luke 22:24)

A Biblical order of the events Washing the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-20) Identifying Judas as the betrayer, after which he leaves (Matt 26:21-25)

A Biblical order of the events Institution of the Lord’s Supper (Matt 26:26-29) Messages and prayers in the Upper Room (John 14:1-17:26) Walk to Gethsemane (Matt 26:30)

A Biblical order of the events Prediction of Peter’s denials (Matt 26:31-35; Luke 22:31-38) Jesus’ prayers in Gethsemane (Matt 26:36- 46)

A Biblical order of the events Betrayal and arrest in Gethsemane (Matt 26:47- 56)

Exposing a betrayer They were “reclining” = triclinium. (PIC) They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?"

Exposing a betrayer They were sad and concerned. “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me”

Starting a new tradition While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."

Starting a new tradition Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Starting a new tradition I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."

Starting a new tradition When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Starting a new tradition Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."

Starting a new tradition He personally gave the bread to each of them

Starting a new tradition Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins

Starting a new tradition The death, burial and resurrection was not something people did to him as much as it was something he intentionally gave!

Starting a new tradition We do not believe in transubstantiation, the teaching that “the bread and wine become Christ’s actually body and blood”

Starting a new tradition 'Any Israelite or any alien living among them who eats any blood—I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from his people.

Starting a new tradition For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life.- Leviticus 17:10-11 (NIV)

Starting a new tradition "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Starting a new tradition I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."

Bottom Line: The Lord’s Supper is significant for us today!

A time for personal reflection Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you."

A time for personal reflection One can act like a disciple and not be fully devoted. The heart is deceptive and behavior can be rationalized.

A time for personal reflection Associating with the people of Jesus still leaves each individual the decision to choose to be a follower of Jesus.

A time for personal reflection The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."

A time for God focused celebration God is always in control “What looked like a terrible trip to death was actually a magnificent climb to the peak of God’s intentions” - Weber

A time for God focused celebration