The Last Supper
Luke 22:7-20 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover. "Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked. He replied, "As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples? He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there. They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
Luke 22:7-20 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God. After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
Passover
Exodus 12:1-30 10 th Day of Nisan (or Aviv) the Lamb (or goat) was selected Lamb was to be a male, one year old, without defect 14 th Day of Nisan the Lamb was slaughtered at twilight Lamb was roasted whole, not raw or cooked in water Lamb tied to a post by its legs and roasted over a fire Bitter herbs were added (Bitterness of their slavery) No bone was to be broken, none left until morning Blood of the Lamb spread on the doorframe of the house Blood spread with hyssop branches at doorposts and lintel
Exodus 12:1-30 Unleavened Bread to be prepared and eaten No yeast shall be present in the bread or the house From the 14 th to the 21 st of Nisan NO YEAST Meal called the Feast of Unleavened Bread Eat the meal in haste Be ready to move! Sandals kept on the feet Cloak tucked into your belt Staff in your hand Passover Sacrifice A lasting ordinance in Israel A time of teaching and remembrance of God s mercy
Passover / Crucifixion Parallels 1 Peter 1:18-20 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 1 Corinthians 5:7 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast--as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.
Passover / Crucifixion Parallels Warning: the next slide is graphic in nature (especially for vegans and vegetarians)
Passover / Crucifixion Parallels
Passover Crucifixion Male Lamb (or Goat) chosen Lamb of God (John 1:29) Without Defect Jesus without sin (Heb 4:15) Do not break any bones (Ex 12:46) Legs not broken (John 19:36) Lamb fasted to pole by its legs Meal eaten in haste Blood of Lamb saved Israel s sons Bitter herbs - bitterness of slavery Lamb prepared with spices/herbs Bread Made without Yeast Jesus nailed hands/feet Jesus removed/buried in haste Jesus blood saves us Saved from slavery to sin Body prepared w/ spices/aloe Jesus (Bread of Life) without sin
Passover & Crucifixion Timeline 6:00 AM (Zero hour) Noon (6 th hour) DAY Night DAY Night DAY DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 6:00 PM 6:00 PM
Crucifixion week Passover Passover & Crucifixion Timeline 9 th of Nisan 10 th of Nisan 11 th of Nisan Selection of the Passover Lamb (Saturday) Jesus arrived in Bethany John 12:1 (Palm Sunday) Triumphal entry into Jerusalem John 12:12 Jesus anointed at dinner by Mary John 12:2 (Monday) 6:00 PM 6:00 PM
Passover & Crucifixion Timeline 11 th of Nisan 12 th of Nisan 13 th of Nisan Passover Lamb examined for imperfections Ex. 12:6 (Monday) (Tuesday) (Wednesday) Jesus at the Temple Courts being interrogated, questioned, and judged. None could not find fault with him! Matt. 26.59-60 6:00 PM 6:00 PM
Passover & Crucifixion Timeline 13 th of Nisan 14 th of Nisan Preparation Day Passover lamb slaughtered at twilight 15 th of Nisan Passover, Plague of the Firstborn Ex 12:17-30 (Wednesday) Peter & John prepare the upper room Luke 22:8-13 (Thursday) Jesus crucified and buried before sundown John 19:42 Jesus arrested, tried Jesus and the disciples eat the Last Supper 6:00 PM 6:00 PM Special Sabbath Jn 19:31 (Friday) Jesus, the firstborn over all creation, lies dead in a tomb. First Night
Passover & Crucifixion Timeline 15 th of Nisan The Exodus: Israelites leave Egypt Ex 12:51 16 th of Nisan Israelites camp at Etham Israelites camp near the sea 17 th of Nisan Israelites pass thru Red Sea and are delivered (Friday) Special Sabbath John 19:31 Jesus dead in a tomb. First Day (Saturday) Regular Sabbath Jesus dead in a tomb. 2 nd Night Jesus: Second Day Jesus dead in a 6:00 PM tomb. 3 rd Night 6:00 PM 1 st Day (Sunday) Jesus risen from the dead early on the Third Day John 19:42
The evening meal John 13:1-2 clearly states that the evening meal that we associate with the Last Supper occurred just before the Passover Feast, before the rest of Jerusalem would celebrate. John 19:14 states that the Jesus crucifixion coincided with the Day of Preparation (Nisan 14) as do the other gospels (Matt. 27:62, Mark:15:42, Luke 23:54). John 19:31 states that a special Sabbath began at sundown and thus the bodies were removed from the crosses in haste. That special Sabbath would be the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Nisan 15); seven days later would also be a Sabbath (Nisan 21)
The evening meal Why did Jesus and his disciples celebrate their final Passover one day before the traditional Feast? Jesus knew his time had come. He knew the exact sequence of his arrest, trial, and physical passion. And perhaps that is why Jesus said that he was eager to partake in one final meal together before his suffering. Since he was not able to wait until the actual Passover, it seems as if Jesus declared this last supper as their Passover. John 12:23 Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Luke 22:15 And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
Communion & Passover Parallels PASSOVER LAMB (Blood): Interestingly there is no mention of a Passover Lamb at their Last Supper. Certainly there could have been one present, however since Christ was the Lamb of God and he offered them his blood, the requirement for the Lamb was fulfilled. UNLEAVENED BREAD: The bread broken and passed around is not specifically described as unleavened bread (Greek azumos), though most assume since the meal was eaten in haste the bread would have been made without yeast. Azumos ad'-zoo-mos; ἄζυμος unleavened, uncorrupted Artos ar'-tos; ἄρτος (airo); bread as raised or a loaf (used in all four gospels, Matthew 26:26, Mark 14:22, Luke 22:19, and John 13:18).
Communion & Passover Parallels PASSOVER LAMB (Blood): John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! UNLEAVENED BREAD: John 6:51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." At the Last Supper, whether Lamb or Unleavened Bread were present or not makes no real difference. Both of these emblems were present in Christ Jesus!
Communion & Passover Parallels In fact, the partaking in the Body and Blood of Christ is the replacement or the reality of the Passover Feast. The Passover - though a reminder of God s deliverance - is no longer required. It was just a foreshadowing of the reality that is Christ. Hebrews 10:1-4 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming--not the realities themselves it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. The Lord s Supper is now our reminder of the Body (bread) and Blood (wine) of our salvation. 1 Peter 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
Communion & Passover Parallels 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
Other Notable Parallels Bread made without Yeast Exodus 12:15 Luke 12:1-5 "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Other Notable Parallels Bread made without Yeast Exodus 12:15 Luke 12:1-5 YEAST = HYPOCRISY. Greek: ὑπόκρισις hypokrisis Definition: acting under a feigned participle i.e. (figurative) deceit ( hypocrisy ) :- condemnation, dissimulation, hypocrisy. God will expose your sin eventually. That is a promise Some of us fear being open, fear our sin being exposed, fear the consequences of our sin, we even fear Satan Do you have a fear of God?
Other Notable Parallels Bread made without Yeast Exodus 12:15 Galatians 5:7-10 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough. I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be.
Other Notable Parallels Bread made without Yeast Exodus 12:15 Galatians 5:7-10 YEAST = FALSE TEACHING Early church, Jewish believers were trying to bind the requirements of the Law on the Gentile believers Specifically circumcision, but also the eating of certain foods, observance of Sabbath days, etc. 1 Cor. 8:1 Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. Beware of deeper knowledge that is not accompanied with deeper and more sincere love. (Yeast puffs up!)
Colossians 2:11-17 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations,
Colossians 2:11-17 that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
The Cross is a REALITY!
Other Notable Parallels DARKNESS the final plague prior to Passover Exodus 10:21-22 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness will spread over Egypt--darkness that can be felt. So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. Luke 23:44-45 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. (three hours)
Other Notable Parallels Resurrection Day 17 th of Nisan (Aviv) Noah s Ark comes to rest on Mt. Ararat. Noah and his family delivered, world destroyed. Gen. 8:1-4 Israel Crosses the Red Sea. Israel is delivered, and the Egyptians are destroyed. Exodus 14:21-27 Haman and his plot to destroy the Jews is exposed by Queen Esther. Haman is hanged and King Xerxes mercifully extends his scepter. Esther ch. 3-8
Luke 24:1-5 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!