It is Wednesday and we continue in our “thru the New Testament in a year” reading in Luke 22:1-38. The biblical story is quite familiar to us all, so read carefully paying attention to details you may have never seen before. When you are finished reading the Scripture, come back and we’ll look at it a little more.
It is at the end of the week Jesus had told his disciples would come. Luke told us back in 9:51, that Jesus “set his face towards Jerusalem”, i.e., knew that the time had come for the fulfillment of the purpose of the Father for his coming. Passover was the setting for a multitude of things Luke reminds us of. The rulers came to the conclusion that it was “NOW” that they had to deal with Jesus. They did not want to mess up their Passover celebrations, so they had to figure it out quickly - so they plotted. Fortunately for them, they had a willing participant in Judas - the treasurer of Jesus’ group. There is a darkness that has begun to spread in Jerusalem and eyes were quickly being blinded. The enemy, Satan himself enters. Luke says it so simply: “Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the twelve”. Satan had been in the Wilderness before Jesus publicly began to do his ministry, but had been working in the background through demons and the hatred of the ruling class to get Jesus out of the way. Now, Luke reminds us, the dark deception was full - the Pharisees had a plan, and Judas would implement it for them.
Judas had been chosen by Jesus and walked with him for three+ years. We wonder, “how could he do it?” How could he see the miracles, listen to the teachings, watch the gracious movements of Jesus, Immanuel, God in flesh, and then turn his back on him? Some have speculated that Judas was a Zealot - one of Israel’s nationalist who were always plotting against, even assassinating, Roman rulers, and Jesus’ actions and words made Judas realize he was never going to overthrow Rome. The speculation is that he, Judas, would force the rebellion by the Jews when Rome killed Jesus. It sounds reasonable, but Judas’ actions don’t seem to be against Rome as much as for the Jewish ruling councils. Jesus had warned them that it was possible to follow him, even call him Lord, see the mighty works, even cast out demons, and still not truly know him (Matt. 7:21-23). The writer of Hebrews later warns that there are people who “have been enlightened...tasted the heavenly gift...the goodness of the word of God, and yet they ‘fall away’ “ (Heb. 6:4-5). We saw the signs as Judas complained to Jesus about expensive ointments being wasted. What happened? Judas’ following became a rote walking alongside...attend Jesus meetings...but the love, trust, commitment all faded and then disappeared. Now Judas is soon gone, absent, and on a Satanic mission.
Jesus sent Peter and John into the city to find a man with a jar of water. Interesting isn’t it? A man with a jar, not a bible, or singing praises to God in the street, or calling out for Jesus; but rather a man on a mission to carry a jar of water back home. Jesus says “follow him to the house he goes to and ask the owner of the house, ‘the Rabbi (teacher) asks, where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ “. You have to love Jesus’ detailed instructions...but more than that...you have to love how Peter and John entered the city and (vs11) “found things just as Jesus had told them.” Judas, the Upper Room, the last night with the disciples...everything is in Jesus’ control. It was all to be fulfilled on Passover - this holy day of Jewish celebration, reminding them of the time when God’s angel swept over Egypt killing the firstborn of every creature, but “passing over” the Israelite households because of the blood of the lamb over the doors of each Israelite house. Jesus was preparing to lead his people out of the slavery of Sin. How? His own broken body symbolized in bread broken and shared with the disciples, and his own blood drank from the cup and shared together to remind them/us that Jesus shed his blood for their, and our, Sin. His soon coming death and the promise of the resurrection was given to them that night in the symbols we still celebrate today. John the Baptist had announced it at the beginning - “behold the lamb of God that takes away the Sin of the world”...i.e., “takes away Sins Grip on Humankind”. Now Jesus in an Upper Room tells them it is time - the hand who betrays him is present and the time has come for “it will go as it has been decreed” (vs 22). Judas leaves as the supper continues.
As the meal continues the disciples are caught up in the here and now attempts to be first among each other. Satan had captured and entered into Judas, but he was not done. Jesus had just finished giving them the words of the Lord’s table when a dispute breaks out as to which of them is the most prominent. We know from John’s Gospel (13) that this all happened as Jesus got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and put on a servant’s towel, and proceeded to wash their feet. Luke sums up the lesson without the description of what Jesus did: “Gentile kings exercise authority to Lord over those under them...don’t be like that, instead learn how to serve because the greatest person among you is not the leader, but the servant!” Kingdom of God values are always upside-down. Jesus reminds them (vs 29) the Father has given to you the Kingdom, so act accordingly.
Satan is not finished... Jesus knows it...and he turns to Peter. Peter is always listed first in the discussion of the disciples. Even when the inner three are listed it’s always “Peter, James, and John...”. All of the disciples had a certain understanding of Peter’s position among them. I do not believe Jesus made Peter the first Pope, but he certainly did talk to him a lot. Jesus looked at Peter and used his name, but directs his words towards all of them: “Simon, Simon, Satan has desired to sift ALL of you as wheat, but I have prayed for you.” He did...read John 17 where Jesus’ prayer in the garden to the Father is a prayer of protection and safety in God’s grace for his disciples - save Judas, the son of Perdition. Why name Peter when he is talking to all of them? It soon became apparent, “when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers”... Turn back from where? Peter’s self-awareness is muddied by his pride. “Lord, I am ready...prison, death, you name it...I’m yours”. Bravo Peter, bravo! Did he believe in what he said? I’m sure he did. THAT is why Jesus prayed for him. The others would run away, but Peter would stay behind and even though he was no Judas, Jesus was clear: “you will deny you even know me before this night is over and the rooster crows three times.”
Jesus is finished...the hour has come...and the hour is dire. He reminds them of what Isaiah 53 had proclaimed - “he was to be numbered with the transgressors”...a common criminal who was getting his just desserts! “It will be fulfilled in me”(vs 37). They pick up swords - two of them - not realizing that a crowd of 500+ soldiers are soon coming and they will run away, and Jesus would be led away - arrested to stand before the council and eventually Pilate.
It should not surprise us that night had fallen in the Upper Room and that the darkness had descended on the city...the rulers...Judas...and even on the disciples, especially Peter, who thought that in their flesh they would overcome it. Here is Jesus...in control...totally aware...sovereignly living within the awareness of God the Father’s providential work in all of this. Our God is able “to make all things work together for good, to those who love him.” Jesus prayed and that made eternal failure impossible.
Peace
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