29: Final Hours with the Disciples (Lk 22:1-46)

I.       The Basics

A.     Setting

The Lord Jesus had completed His public ministry. He now spent His remaining moments with His disciples. The hour of darkness was soon approaching, and the Lord needed to prepare Himself and the disciples for what must take place. The events of this chapter took place during the crucial time of Passover, the feast of great significance in light of the atonement that Jesus was about to accomplish.

B.     Key Verse

            “Then He said to them, ‘With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God’” (22:15-16).

            “…Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (22:42).

C.     Did You Know…?

1.      Feast of Unleavened Bread…Passover (22:1): “Passover” was used in two different ways: (1) a specific meal begun at twilight on the 14th of Nisan (Lev 23:4-5), and (2) the week following the Passover meal (Eze 45:21), otherwise known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a week in which no leaven was allowed (Ex 12:15-20; 13:3-7). By NT times the two names for the week-long festival were virtually interchangeable.

2.      Captains (22:4): Jewish officers under the Jerusalem religious establishment.

3.      A man carrying a pitcher of water (22:10): It was unusual for a man to carry a pitcher of water, since it was ordinarily women’s work.

4.      Benefactors (22:25): A title assumed by or voted for rulers in Egypt, Syria and Rome as a display of honor, but frequently not representing actual service rendered.

5.      Drops of blood (22:44): Probably perspiration in large drops like blood, or possibly hematidrosis, the actual mingling of blood and sweat as in cases of extreme anguish, strain or sensitivity.

II.    Observation

A.     Outline

(22:1-6)

(22:7-38)

(7-13)

(14-23)

(24-30)

(31-34)

(35-38)

(22:39-46)

B.     Key Words/Phrases

III. Segment Analysis

A.     22:1-6

1. Why did the chief priests and scribes seek to kill Jesus?

2. Why did they fear the people?

3. Why did Satan enter Judas? What does it mean?

4. What lesson can we learn from Judas’ downfall, considering that he was once a follower of the Lord?

B.     22:7-13

5a. What does verse 7 say about the Passover?

5b. Why is this fact significant?

6. From the preparation of the Passover meal in this passage, what lesson can we learn in our service?

C.     22:14-23

7. Which verses in this passage record the institution of the Holy Communion (also known as the Lord’s Supper)?

8. According to the Lord Jesus, why should we partake of the Holy Communion?

9. Why is the Holy Communion a sacrament (i.e. how do we know that it has spiritual saving effect)?

10. Explain the phrase “the new covenant in My blood.”

11. With what attitude do you you partake of the Holy Communion?

D.     22:24-30

12. How did Jesus resolve the disciples’ dispute and correct their misconception?

13. In what ways can you be like a servant?

14a. What blessings did the Lord Jesus give the disciples in 29-30? Why did the disciples receive these blessings?

14b. What did Jesus mean when He said that He bestowed on the disciples a kingdom?

E.     22:31-34

15. What can we learn in this paragraph about

15a. Satan?

15b. Peter?

15c. Christ’s intercession?

F.      22:35-38

16. Why at this moment must the disciples start taking money bags and knapsacks and buying swords?

17. How did the disciples misunderstand the Lord’s instructions?

G.    22:39-46

18. What do you learn here about

18a. What to pray ?

18b. How to pray?

18c. God’s answer to prayer?

19. What kind of struggle was Jesus going through? Have you ever experienced the same struggle?

20. How did Jesus’ prayer become a crucial turning point for Him?

21. What were the disciples doing while Jesus was praying earnestly? What happened to them later? What lesson can you learn here?