WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.560 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:12.720 --> 00:00:18.300 I know some of you get a little nervous about a service planned around a little bit shorter 00:00:18.300 --> 00:00:19.920 sermon than usual. 00:00:20.120 --> 00:00:21.859 You don't think I'm capable of that. 00:00:22.879 --> 00:00:23.920 We'll find out. 00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:33.800 Now, as Luke walks us through this final week of Jesus' life, we've been going through 00:00:33.800 --> 00:00:35.340 that together in his gospel. 00:00:35.579 --> 00:00:38.859 He's doing it to help us see who Jesus really is, right? 00:00:39.480 --> 00:00:46.520 And we've come now all the way to Thursday, just one day before Jesus will die. 00:00:47.400 --> 00:00:53.799 The tension is building, and Luke does something we've seen in the TV or movies before. 00:00:54.380 --> 00:00:58.039 He brings together two different storylines. 00:00:58.380 --> 00:01:04.060 They're going to come together to highlight an important moment, ultimately the crucifixion 00:01:04.060 --> 00:01:04.920 of Jesus. 00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:12.219 But in this passage, it's a special meal with his disciples to give added meaning to that 00:01:12.219 --> 00:01:13.040 coming death. 00:01:13.980 --> 00:01:20.180 Notice those separate storylines as I read the first part of our passage for today, and then 00:01:20.180 --> 00:01:21.099 I'll pray for us. 00:01:21.099 --> 00:01:23.679 Luke 22 at verse 1. 00:01:23.759 --> 00:01:25.559 This is God's holy word. 00:01:25.560 --> 00:01:30.740 Now, the feast of unleavened bread drew near, which is called the Passover. 00:01:31.680 --> 00:01:36.040 And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put him to death, for they feared 00:01:36.040 --> 00:01:36.700 the people. 00:01:37.939 --> 00:01:42.079 Then Satan entered into Judas, called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 00:01:42.780 --> 00:01:48.040 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. 00:01:48.800 --> 00:01:51.060 And they were glad and agreed to give him money. 00:01:51.060 --> 00:01:57.340 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. 00:01:57.340 --> 00:02:03.579 Then came the day of unleavened bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 00:02:04.100 --> 00:02:09.140 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, go and prepare the Passover for us that we may eat 00:02:09.140 --> 00:02:09.340 it. 00:02:09.840 --> 00:02:12.180 And they said to him, where will you have us prepare it? 00:02:13.099 --> 00:02:17.960 And he said to them, behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water 00:02:17.960 --> 00:02:18.680 will meet you. 00:02:19.439 --> 00:02:22.560 Follow him into the house that he enters and tell the master of the house. 00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:27.979 The teacher says to you, where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with my 00:02:27.979 --> 00:02:28.539 disciples? 00:02:29.539 --> 00:02:32.159 And he will show you a large upper room furnished. 00:02:32.620 --> 00:02:33.439 Prepare it there. 00:02:34.400 --> 00:02:37.180 And they went and found it just as he had told them. 00:02:37.699 --> 00:02:39.980 And they prepared the Passover. 00:02:40.699 --> 00:02:41.219 Let's pray. 00:02:41.219 --> 00:02:52.139 Father, thank you for this, your written word, for the word that will be preached, for the 00:02:52.139 --> 00:02:56.680 visible word that we will see and touch and smell and taste. 00:02:59.360 --> 00:03:01.020 And all of it, show us Jesus. 00:03:02.400 --> 00:03:03.860 We ask in his name. 00:03:04.780 --> 00:03:05.099 Amen. 00:03:07.400 --> 00:03:10.879 So Luke sets the stage for us here, doesn't he? 00:03:11.699 --> 00:03:18.900 We've already seen Jesus for weeks and weeks now, laser focused on going to Jerusalem 00:03:18.900 --> 00:03:21.280 to suffer and die. 00:03:21.639 --> 00:03:23.780 And now he's made it to God's city. 00:03:23.780 --> 00:03:31.460 And here in this passage, we see group one considering death at the Passover. 00:03:32.520 --> 00:03:38.979 The religious leaders, Judas, and even Satan who enters Judas want the death of Jesus. 00:03:38.979 --> 00:03:45.659 Of course, it's complicated because the Passover crowds are currently loving Jesus. 00:03:46.019 --> 00:03:47.000 So they have to be careful. 00:03:47.099 --> 00:03:50.539 They need to find him alone somewhere if they're going to be able to swing the crowd. 00:03:50.899 --> 00:03:52.139 And Judas can help. 00:03:53.939 --> 00:04:02.000 But while the bad guys are making those preparations, verse 7, group 2, Jesus and his disciples are 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:04.620 making preparations for Passover too. 00:04:06.020 --> 00:04:08.159 Also considering death. 00:04:09.360 --> 00:04:14.120 As we'll see more in just a minute, Passover always had that context, didn't it? 00:04:14.960 --> 00:04:18.959 All the way back in Egypt, the lamb had to be sacrificed. 00:04:18.959 --> 00:04:27.299 And so we see Jesus has made preparations himself for a really important meal with his closest friends 00:04:27.299 --> 00:04:32.939 to show them more about himself and more about his death so they'll know and understand. 00:04:35.519 --> 00:04:36.819 And then they're there. 00:04:38.159 --> 00:04:40.419 Jesus, his disciples. 00:04:41.419 --> 00:04:43.659 Judas also from the other storyline. 00:04:43.660 --> 00:04:46.340 Verse 14, the music builds. 00:04:46.740 --> 00:04:49.780 And when the hour came, here it all is. 00:04:50.460 --> 00:04:53.340 He reclined at table and the apostles with him. 00:04:53.880 --> 00:05:00.000 And he said to them, I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 00:05:01.240 --> 00:05:07.180 For I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:11.540 Do you hear Jesus' passionate heart for this meal? 00:05:11.540 --> 00:05:14.160 How important this moment is for him? 00:05:15.680 --> 00:05:21.360 The words that he uses are actually, I have desired with a desire. 00:05:22.379 --> 00:05:28.660 Meaning to accent the passion that he has for this, the emotion he feels in the moment. 00:05:28.840 --> 00:05:35.620 I have longed with deep longing to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 00:05:35.720 --> 00:05:36.600 That's what he's saying. 00:05:36.600 --> 00:05:43.400 And we need to notice that because we know Jesus' heart has been set like that on only one thing, right? 00:05:44.280 --> 00:05:51.320 Over and over in Luke's gospel, the only thing Jesus has talked about that way is going to the cross, isn't it? 00:05:53.100 --> 00:05:56.900 And so somehow this meal is connected to that. 00:05:57.160 --> 00:06:01.000 That must be in his mind something that's of utmost importance. 00:06:01.000 --> 00:06:09.300 That it's a priority to him because we're going to hear him connect its meaning to that primary reason he came to earth. 00:06:10.800 --> 00:06:12.120 To go to the cross. 00:06:12.120 --> 00:06:22.180 But just in even this opening statement to his disciples, we see Jesus reference the past, the Passover feast. 00:06:23.340 --> 00:06:29.500 The present, this meal now to share before his suffering and the future. 00:06:30.280 --> 00:06:33.459 Another supper fulfilled in God's kingdom. 00:06:33.939 --> 00:06:38.399 This meal will help them consider all three time frames. 00:06:38.399 --> 00:06:44.379 Perhaps you have some memorable meals in your family. 00:06:44.919 --> 00:06:49.139 Traditional dishes that evoke certain memories. 00:06:50.620 --> 00:06:54.379 Celebrations that you always commemorate in the same way. 00:06:54.759 --> 00:07:00.859 Maybe things you eat when you celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas or birthdays or something like that. 00:07:00.959 --> 00:07:03.879 It wouldn't be Christmas without this. 00:07:03.879 --> 00:07:10.699 I love Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner at Christy's grandparents' home. 00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:20.279 Ham, turkey, mac and cheese, dressing, all of the green things hidden in casseroles. 00:07:20.740 --> 00:07:22.480 It's just the way you should do it. 00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:28.699 But the most important thing for me, this won't surprise many of you, is the dessert. 00:07:29.339 --> 00:07:29.519 Right? 00:07:29.519 --> 00:07:36.799 Among many other things, Christy's grandmother bakes chocolate chip cookies every time. 00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:40.219 Now I've had a lot of chocolate chip cookies. 00:07:40.799 --> 00:07:42.299 Really good chocolate chip cookies. 00:07:42.500 --> 00:07:48.180 But I've been eating these for 15 years and they're just the same way every time. 00:07:48.500 --> 00:07:49.560 Just right. 00:07:49.560 --> 00:07:57.180 And even though there's other really good cookies out there, these cookies are uniquely grandma. 00:07:58.540 --> 00:07:59.800 It's the way she does it. 00:08:00.199 --> 00:08:04.100 Every year they send a tin of them home with us from South Carolina. 00:08:04.439 --> 00:08:08.000 And even back in Huntsville, you can eat one of those chocolate chip cookies 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:13.439 and you just can feel like you're back there in her kitchen with grandma. 00:08:14.040 --> 00:08:14.819 You know that feeling? 00:08:15.340 --> 00:08:16.560 Is there something like that for you? 00:08:16.560 --> 00:08:23.439 It's not merely that you can eat one of them and separately think about grandma. 00:08:23.699 --> 00:08:24.860 I mean, you can do that. 00:08:24.939 --> 00:08:28.019 I can go buy Chips Ahoy at the store if I want. 00:08:28.060 --> 00:08:31.019 And if I try really hard, I can eat one and think about grandma. 00:08:31.600 --> 00:08:33.759 No, it's a closer connection than that, isn't it? 00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:36.720 Something that you know and feel in your being. 00:08:36.720 --> 00:08:46.580 It's a remembrance of her as we savor that special taste and look forward to being back with her another time. 00:08:48.620 --> 00:08:52.899 That's what happens for God's people with these suppers. 00:08:53.240 --> 00:09:01.440 Past, present, future, all together in this meal they share when they eat this food. 00:09:02.139 --> 00:09:04.279 Let's look back first. 00:09:04.279 --> 00:09:12.259 The Passover was instituted as God was bringing His people out of their long slavery in Egypt. 00:09:13.000 --> 00:09:16.019 They made unleavened bread in a hurry to leave. 00:09:16.539 --> 00:09:21.299 They put the blood of the Passover lamb on the door frames of their houses 00:09:21.299 --> 00:09:26.039 so the angel of death would pass over them when He came for the Egyptians, right? 00:09:26.039 --> 00:09:35.059 And this event was the defining, redemptive moment for Yahweh and His people. 00:09:35.559 --> 00:09:41.659 As He would show Himself strong and loving and bring them into a promised land, 00:09:41.759 --> 00:09:46.319 flowing with milk and honey, into freedom to worship and serve Him. 00:09:46.579 --> 00:09:50.120 This is what He was doing in that very moment, that special night. 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:56.480 And so every year, they would celebrate this feast as a remembrance. 00:09:57.320 --> 00:10:04.840 A remembrance of their great redeeming God and the food helped them experience it again. 00:10:07.220 --> 00:10:12.740 A significant part of that feast was the explanation of what they were doing. 00:10:12.740 --> 00:10:19.820 Every year, it was actually written in to the event that they would hold in each home celebrating the Passover. 00:10:20.180 --> 00:10:25.340 Part of that event is the youngest son asking the father to explain, 00:10:25.580 --> 00:10:26.860 why are we doing this? 00:10:27.399 --> 00:10:28.399 What's all this mean? 00:10:28.519 --> 00:10:29.759 What's it for? 00:10:30.220 --> 00:10:33.159 And the father replies, with what? 00:10:33.159 --> 00:10:36.000 By telling the story of the Exodus. 00:10:36.799 --> 00:10:38.120 Of their deliverance. 00:10:38.419 --> 00:10:44.159 The story highlighted by a lamb who died so that the Israelites lived. 00:10:44.899 --> 00:10:52.019 By the God who promised to continue delivering His people as they hoped and trusted in Him. 00:10:53.919 --> 00:11:00.399 See, over the years, the Israelites were further and further removed from the Exodus generation. 00:11:00.399 --> 00:11:06.919 Further and further from those who'd actually walked out of Egypt and across the Red Sea 00:11:06.919 --> 00:11:09.819 and felt the dry ground beneath their feet. 00:11:10.759 --> 00:11:17.819 But this regular remembrance helped them put themselves in the sandals of their ancestors, so to speak. 00:11:18.939 --> 00:11:23.860 To taste the bread and the lamb and the wine that their forefathers ate. 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:32.500 And to renew their trust in this special relationship where they trust this faithful, redeeming God. 00:11:35.259 --> 00:11:41.399 Now here is Jesus with His beloved friends celebrating this feast yet again. 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:42.360 It's Passover. 00:11:42.980 --> 00:11:44.220 The Feast of Unleavened Bread. 00:11:44.600 --> 00:11:48.480 There were actually multiple cups shared in this meal. 00:11:49.800 --> 00:11:51.600 Luke mentions a couple of them here. 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:55.600 Verse 17, Jesus took a cup and when He'd given thanks, He said, 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:57.600 Take this and divide it among yourselves. 00:11:58.040 --> 00:12:03.440 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. 00:12:04.899 --> 00:12:08.040 That's pretty normal in this Passover celebration. 00:12:08.320 --> 00:12:14.820 But then Jesus gets to the bread and He begins to do the explanation. 00:12:15.980 --> 00:12:17.740 He's going to tell them why we're doing this. 00:12:17.740 --> 00:12:23.440 Listen, kids, this is part of why we have you come down to these tables with us. 00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:26.879 So that you can learn and understand what's going on. 00:12:27.139 --> 00:12:32.180 Kids, if you're one of those who's in our communicants class right now, I want you to listen especially closely. 00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:32.700 Okay? 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:35.860 This is what the Lord's Supper means. 00:12:36.019 --> 00:12:38.659 Jesus is going to tell us what it's really about. 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:40.120 Pay close attention, okay? 00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:44.799 Maybe in this Last Supper, we don't know. 00:12:45.200 --> 00:12:48.120 Maybe someone played the role of youngest son dutifully. 00:12:49.080 --> 00:12:49.399 I don't know. 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:50.960 Maybe it was Peter or John. 00:12:51.159 --> 00:12:51.460 Someone. 00:12:52.100 --> 00:12:54.659 And asked Jesus, why do we do this? 00:12:56.960 --> 00:13:03.820 Jesus gives answers now that redefine the narrative that they've had for so many years. 00:13:03.820 --> 00:13:12.200 Verse 19, He took bread and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them saying, 00:13:12.580 --> 00:13:15.900 This is my body which is given for you. 00:13:16.680 --> 00:13:19.300 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:13:20.180 --> 00:13:25.180 Not, this is the bread of our suffering in Egypt and here's what happened. 00:13:25.460 --> 00:13:26.020 No. 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:26.120 No. 00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:33.000 This is my body which is given for you. 00:13:33.939 --> 00:13:38.879 Jesus is infusing this meal with new meaning and significance, isn't He? 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:44.759 Now it's not merely looking back to a death of a lamb to deliver God's people, 00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:52.620 but truly celebrating and remembering the death of the Son of God who gives His life to deliver God's people. 00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:57.240 Who gives His life for the sake of others? 00:13:58.340 --> 00:13:59.320 That's not common. 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:02.919 And the Passover lamb had no choice in the matter, did He? 00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:14.980 But Jesus finds His people in slavery to sin, facing death as a consequence for rebellion against a holy God, 00:14:15.220 --> 00:14:19.720 and He willingly dies in their place. 00:14:20.299 --> 00:14:21.639 He tells them this is where He's going. 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:27.980 He's saying in 24 hours I'll be headed to a cross, and you need to know that my death is not the end. 00:14:28.240 --> 00:14:29.299 It's not a failure. 00:14:29.779 --> 00:14:30.980 It's not a defeat. 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:33.580 It's actually for your deliverance. 00:14:33.940 --> 00:14:35.139 It's for your redemption. 00:14:35.620 --> 00:14:42.120 It's your new exodus out of slavery into the freedom of the children of God. 00:14:42.440 --> 00:14:43.480 That's what's happening. 00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:48.580 And it's going to look sad to you, and you're going to be distraught, but there's victory happening. 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:55.980 So His followers are to do this in remembrance of Him. 00:14:55.980 --> 00:15:07.139 Not merely to do something and think about Him, but to actually have our minds shaped by the centrality of His life and death for our lives today. 00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:13.500 To have our hearts overwhelmed by the magnitude of His love for us. 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:21.080 As we contemplate our desperate need born in sin, guilty and facing death until He took our place. 00:15:22.399 --> 00:15:30.360 To have our lives transformed by the priorities of King Jesus and our confidence that He is with us no matter what. 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:32.200 That's what remembrance means. 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:33.900 It's not just something you think about. 00:15:35.240 --> 00:15:38.280 We don't just stop and think about Him this morning. 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:41.500 We taste and smell His sacrifice. 00:15:42.759 --> 00:15:46.600 We savor His goodness here with us today. 00:15:47.000 --> 00:15:51.740 And we look forward to reunion with Him in confident hope. 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:56.780 And so the bread was passed. 00:15:57.540 --> 00:15:59.140 The Passover lamb was shared. 00:15:59.139 --> 00:16:01.419 And then after supper, another cup. 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:02.159 Verse 20. 00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:04.980 Likewise, the cup after they had eaten, saying, 00:16:05.419 --> 00:16:09.939 This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:13.240 Now, you've heard that so many times. 00:16:14.179 --> 00:16:15.539 Y'all, the disciples had not. 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:17.159 They'd never heard that. 00:16:17.439 --> 00:16:18.720 This is revolutionary. 00:16:19.559 --> 00:16:22.819 Not blood that's put on doorposts of homes in Egypt. 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:25.519 His blood. 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:26.659 The covenant. 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:29.039 Their relationship with God. 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:33.340 Is established and maintained in His blood. 00:16:33.939 --> 00:16:38.799 It was other blood they'd look back to as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:45.539 And as they did that, they looked forward in the hope of His continued fulfillment of those promises. 00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:46.899 There was a Messiah to come. 00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:48.220 There was deliverance promised. 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:50.559 And now Jesus says, 00:16:51.419 --> 00:16:52.819 Here I am. 00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:55.540 It's changing now. 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:56.520 I'm here. 00:16:56.520 --> 00:17:02.980 The sign of God's promises to you of His faithfulness to redeem will be my blood poured out for you. 00:17:02.980 --> 00:17:06.360 God has promised a new covenant. 00:17:06.360 --> 00:17:08.380 Where He's with His people. 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:10.120 His law is written on their hearts. 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:12.900 His home is their eternal resting place. 00:17:13.360 --> 00:17:14.380 And Jesus says, 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:18.279 Every time you celebrate this meal, it means something new now. 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:21.559 When you eat the bread and drink the cup. 00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:25.200 You teach your heart again about the covenant keeping God. 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:27.180 The one you can trust. 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:30.339 Who loves you enough to send His Son. 00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:33.460 Who loves you enough to die in your place. 00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:35.759 Who loves you enough never to let you go. 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:37.980 And never to let any of His promises fail. 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:39.759 So you have an eternal hope. 00:17:39.759 --> 00:17:44.420 And that's the future supper we look forward to, isn't it? 00:17:45.640 --> 00:17:47.980 Notice that twice in this brief conversation. 00:17:48.379 --> 00:17:51.240 Where Jesus is infusing new meaning into the supper. 00:17:51.379 --> 00:17:55.140 He looks ahead to His eternal kingdom. 00:17:56.220 --> 00:18:00.019 I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:04.920 I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:06.359 He's looking forward, isn't He? 00:18:07.079 --> 00:18:08.259 And we need to as well. 00:18:09.759 --> 00:18:13.119 Every time I eat one of Grandma's chocolate chip cookies, 00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:18.920 I look forward to being back in her kitchen, eating them with her. 00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:27.339 Jesus says here, He looks forward to sharing this meal again in His kingdom. 00:18:27.900 --> 00:18:32.079 Feasting with us at the wedding supper of the Lamb, Revelation 19. 00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:36.500 Where His body and blood cleanses us, His bride. 00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:38.420 And makes us beautiful. 00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:40.960 And we enjoy what? 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:42.319 Communion. 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:44.480 Relationship. 00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:45.559 Intimacy. 00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:46.660 Trust. 00:18:47.319 --> 00:18:47.740 Forever. 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:49.740 That's what He's looking forward to. 00:18:49.879 --> 00:18:50.539 With you. 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:54.960 Blessed are those invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. 00:18:55.819 --> 00:18:59.019 Most of them didn't look worthy or impressive on their own. 00:18:59.019 --> 00:19:03.839 But He has made us ready and welcomed us as His bride. 00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:10.940 When you come to the Lord's table, look back at the sacrifice given for you. 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:15.500 Look now to the present reality of Jesus with you by His Spirit. 00:19:16.639 --> 00:19:20.779 And look forward to the glory of being with Him forever. 00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:30.359 Before this poignant scene at the Last Supper ends, though, the other storyline returns. 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:33.599 And there's a stark warning for us. 00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:34.539 Verse 21. 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:39.759 But behold, the hand of Him who betrays Me is with Me on the table. 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:42.519 For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined. 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:45.879 But woe to that man by whom He is betrayed. 00:19:46.220 --> 00:19:51.220 And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this. 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:55.000 Who's at the table with Jesus? 00:19:56.819 --> 00:19:58.500 He says there's a betrayer. 00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:02.319 The disciples are shocked. 00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:03.640 Is it you? 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:04.680 Is it you? 00:20:04.860 --> 00:20:05.339 Is it me? 00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:07.259 They start asking. 00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:13.579 Now there's an acknowledgement here that Jesus is heading to the cross because He must. 00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:15.839 And because His Father planned it that way. 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:19.960 But that doesn't relieve the one who betrays Him of responsibility, does it? 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:23.400 We know Satan has entered Judas. 00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:25.980 He's in cahoots with the leaders. 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:29.299 The death of Jesus is indeed already in motion. 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:34.240 Even as He tells His disciples, more of it will mean for their ultimate deliverance. 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:40.380 But Judas reminds us that being close to Jesus, 00:20:41.880 --> 00:20:46.160 eating at His table, listening to His very words, 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:48.819 does not guarantee our salvation. 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:54.759 If we persist in rejecting Jesus for whatever other idol, 00:20:55.839 --> 00:20:59.639 the money, the comfort, whatever was in His heart, 00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:02.879 we do so at our own peril. 00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:05.919 Don't miss the warning to our hearts, 00:21:06.119 --> 00:21:09.819 especially those who sit in places like this near to Him and His words, 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:14.899 that our hearts can betray Jesus even while wanting to look like we're close to Him. 00:21:14.900 --> 00:21:20.920 Maybe you feel some of that in your own heart. 00:21:21.860 --> 00:21:24.900 Maybe you can sense that idolatry. 00:21:25.580 --> 00:21:30.120 The other loves that seem to get ahead of Jesus in your heart sometimes. 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:35.000 The fact that you'd like to protect your own name more than you want to protect His. 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:38.579 And you see that and feel that. 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:42.000 I want you to miss who else is at the table. 00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:46.660 Because there's a welcome here for you, not just a warning. 00:21:48.140 --> 00:21:53.539 It's not one betrayer and 11 perfectly faithful disciples, is it? 00:21:53.539 --> 00:22:01.899 In addition to Judas, another of Jesus' closest friends will deny knowing Him tonight. 00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:05.859 Several will fall asleep on Him. 00:22:06.180 --> 00:22:10.759 And by the end of the following day, all of them will have abandoned Him. 00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:16.900 And listen, Jesus knows that. 00:22:18.279 --> 00:22:24.400 Jesus, knowing that, knowing people are conspiring against Him to this end, 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:31.879 graciously eats with and instructs His faltering friends, doesn't He? 00:22:31.880 --> 00:22:34.800 In fact, do you remember? 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:41.760 He earnestly desires to eat this supper with them. 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:48.140 This is exactly who He wants to be with for this special moment. 00:22:48.560 --> 00:22:52.600 He eagerly welcomes you to come just as you are. 00:22:53.860 --> 00:22:57.820 He passionately desires to feed your soul. 00:22:57.819 --> 00:23:05.439 Dear friends, Jesus gives His body and blood for you 00:23:05.439 --> 00:23:11.879 and pours out all of His life so that you can turn to Him right now 00:23:11.879 --> 00:23:17.779 from any sin at all and find welcome at His table. 00:23:18.079 --> 00:23:20.480 That's the offer of the gospel to you this morning. 00:23:20.899 --> 00:23:24.939 Repent and trust Jesus again. 00:23:24.940 --> 00:23:25.120 Amen. 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:29.559 The Lord's table is a table for sinners. 00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:35.000 A place Jesus meets not merely with the spiritual successes, 00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:38.279 but with the spiritual failures. 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:42.460 Beggars who cry out for a Savior. 00:23:42.820 --> 00:23:45.700 Who see here a forgiving Father. 00:23:46.380 --> 00:23:51.539 Who taste here a God who will never leave them no matter what. 00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:55.200 As we come to this table together, 00:23:55.399 --> 00:24:00.159 I invite you to see Jesus again for the first time. 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:02.920 To remember His love. 00:24:04.379 --> 00:24:11.379 And to long for eternity with the one who longs for eternity with you. 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:17.440 That's what He says to His followers in that last supper. 00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:20.120 He's there with them. 00:24:20.320 --> 00:24:21.059 We just read it. 00:24:22.259 --> 00:24:23.160 The night He was betrayed, 00:24:23.400 --> 00:24:25.320 they took that bread, 00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:26.759 and He broke it, 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:28.519 and He gave it to them saying, 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:31.299 this is my body given for you. 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:33.100 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:36.059 And then He took the cup and said, 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:38.640 this cup is the new covenant in my blood. 00:24:39.640 --> 00:24:42.460 Shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. 00:24:42.620 --> 00:24:44.320 Drink from it, all of you. 00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:49.519 If that's the Jesus you see here, 00:24:49.619 --> 00:24:49.899 come. 00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:51.579 Come to this table. 00:24:52.919 --> 00:24:54.500 If you don't know Him, 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:57.220 and don't trust Him to be your Savior, 00:24:57.379 --> 00:24:58.819 don't come to this table. 00:24:59.039 --> 00:25:01.259 This is a sign of Jesus. 00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:03.839 We'd rather talk with you about Jesus Himself. 00:25:04.419 --> 00:25:05.339 If you don't know Him, 00:25:05.399 --> 00:25:08.240 and this table doesn't represent those things to you, 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:10.339 then we'd still love to pray with you. 00:25:10.419 --> 00:25:11.379 You're welcome to come. 00:25:11.380 --> 00:25:13.820 We'd love to talk with you now or after the service. 00:25:15.040 --> 00:25:16.100 But don't come to this table. 00:25:16.260 --> 00:25:19.820 Come to Jesus who offers Himself for you. 00:25:20.020 --> 00:25:22.260 Who today invites you and says, 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.400 no matter what your sin, 00:25:23.680 --> 00:25:24.920 no matter what your past, 00:25:25.240 --> 00:25:26.660 no matter how you feel, 00:25:27.080 --> 00:25:28.360 you can turn to me. 00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:31.060 Come to me and find rest. 00:25:31.860 --> 00:25:34.100 Let's pray and we'll celebrate this supper together. 00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:36.599 Jesus, thank you 00:25:36.599 --> 00:25:42.879 for your body and blood given for us. 00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:46.179 Would you use these very common elements 00:25:46.179 --> 00:25:48.839 in our hearts 00:25:48.839 --> 00:25:51.980 to do things that are really significant? 00:25:52.439 --> 00:25:55.519 Would it be a remembrance in the fullest sense for us? 00:25:55.639 --> 00:25:59.359 Would we taste and know in our hearts 00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:00.619 that you are good 00:26:00.619 --> 00:26:02.619 and that you love us? 00:26:04.619 --> 00:26:06.439 Father, speak to our hearts in ways 00:26:06.439 --> 00:26:07.839 that my words cannot, 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.419 by your Spirit, 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:10.759 by these elements 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:13.539 that we might have our faith in Jesus built. 00:26:13.959 --> 00:26:15.259 And we ask in His name. 00:26:15.899 --> 00:26:16.159 Amen. 00:26:16.159 --> 00:26:16.259 Amen. 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:21.539 For more information, 00:26:21.919 --> 00:26:24.139 visit us online at southwood.org. 00:26:29.359 --> 00:26:30.359 Amen.