Jesus the Passover Lamb
Jeremy Bell
Luke 22:7-20
March 28, 2021
Sermon Video/Audio
Luke 22:7–20
[7] Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. [8] So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” [9] They said to him, “Where will you have us prepare it?” [10] He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters [11] and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ [12] And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.” [13] And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
[14] And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. [15] And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. [16] For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” [17] And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. [18] For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” [19] And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” [20] And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. (ESV)
I. Preparations for the Passover (verses 7-13)
- Why did Jesus plan for the preparations to be done in this way, with these kinds of instructions?
- He was building faith in His disciples, even now! He wanted them to know that He was still in charge, that nothing was happening by chance.
- Over the next few days, the disciples would be so bewildered. Their expectations would be shattered. Their faith would be shaken. Even one of their own would betray Jesus.
- Jesus was taking one more opportunity, even through something as small as simply the preparations for the Passover meal to communicate to the disciples that He in fact was still in full control.
II. The Fulfillment of the Passover (verses 14-20)
- Every time the this meal was celebrated, since the days of the very first Passover in Egypt, by which people were spared from death by the blood of the innocent lamb, it was all culminating right in front of them.
- Jesus was saying to them – ‘All of those Passovers were all pointing forward to me! The blood of those lambs that were sacrificed could never save–they simply pointed forward in faith to me, God’s Lamb, who would be sacrificed once and for all!’
- This time, God Himself has supplied the Lamb for the Passover feast.
- On the very next day, Jesus would become that sacrificial lamb on the cross. The innocent, perfect, spotless Lamb, the Lamb of God, the One who knew no sin became sin for us.
- And He was sacrificed, His blood flowing so as to redeem everyone who would look to Him in faith.
- This is the very center and heart of the Christian faith. For we know that we are sinners all, and that in our rebellion against God, we all stand guilty before Him. And though He would be just to banish us to hell, He sent His own perfect, sinless sacrificial Lamb to take the wrath of God that we deserve so that we wouldn’t experience the judgement of death This is the glory of the substitutionary atonement!
Guilty, vile and helpless we
Spotless Lamb of God was He
“Full atonement!” can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior! – Phillip Bliss, 1895
- This supper pointed forward to the supper yet to come.
“Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready.” — Revelation 19:6-7
Questions For Discussion/Application (Care Groups):
- Re-read the text, Luke 22:7-20. What initial observations and insights do you have from reading this text?
- In what ways does the Old Testament Passover meal point to Christ (see point #2 above)?
- Let’s take a few moments and just review the gospel. What is the gospel? When scripture speaks of Christ being our substitute what does that mean?
- What does Jesus mean to you?
- How do you want to personally grow in remembering, reflecting on, meditating on Christ and the gospel?
- What are some ways that you personally seek to “preach the gospel to yourself?”
- Read Revelation 19:6-7. How does the Lord’s Supper point forward to the marriage supper of the Lamb?
- Consider taking time to pray, simply thanking God for the gift of His Son, sent to die for us.
Questions For Discussion/Application (parents with younger children):
- Re-read the text, Luke 21:34-38
- Explain: In this passage, Jesus instituted the sacrament of communion. Christians take take communion because Jesus told us to do so. The bread symbolizes Christ’s body, broken for us. And the cup symbolizes Jesus blood shed for us. He gave us this sacrament of communion to help us to remember and never forget what he did for us by dying on the Cross.
- Ask: What was Jesus doing on the Cross?
- Explain: Take the opportunity again, to explain to your child the gospel. Especially focus in on the idea that Jesus was our substitute. Jesus died in our place to forgive us of our sins.
- Ask: How do you feel about what Jesus did on the Cross?
- Explain: We receive forgiveness and eternal life by putting our faith in Jesus. We trust in him to forgive us of our sins. This is a great opportunity to encourage your children again to put their faith in Christ and Christ alone!
- Coloring Sheet can be found here.
- Song: New City Catechism Q.24- Why was it necessary for Christ the Redeemer to die?
- Pray: Thank Jesus for dying on the Cross, in our place, for our sins!