The Institution of the Lord's Supper Luke 22:7-20

DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS

1. The Preparation for the Passover, 7-13 Where did Luke get his account of the Lord's supper? (1 Corinthians 11:23-26.) From whom did Paul get it? (1 Corinthians 11:23.) Upon what day did the scenes of this lesson occur? (Leviticus 23:5, 6; Exodus 12:18.) Did Jesus eat the Passover with the disciples on the regular Passover evening? (John 13:1; 18:28; 19:14; Mark 14:15; Matthew 26:20.) To whom did Jesus give the commission to prepare the Passover (v. 8)? Which Gospel is it tells us this? Why was the commission given to them?

Was it a privilege to prepare for Him? Can we have this privilege of preparing for Him? (Revelation 3:20.) What question did the disciples put to Him? When Jesus gives us a commission to whom should we look for directions as to where and how to execute this commission? How often might we ask the question which the disciples asked? What directions did Jesus give to Peter and John? What was His purpose in giving directions in this singular way? Who was the man whom they were to meet?

Was it a mere chance that they were to meet this man with the pitcher? How much of our life is a matter of chance? How did Jesus know they were to meet him in this way? (Matthew 26:18.) How would they know which of the men carrying pitchers of water they were to follow? Did the man who was carrying that pitcher of water realize that by that humble act he was performing a part in God's wondrous plan of redemption? Is there any lesson in this? How much of what they would meet upon their way did Jesus know beforehand?

How much of what we shall meet does He know beforehand? How should we feel then about the unknown things that shall come to us in life's journey? What were they to say to the owner of the house? Was he a disciple? (Matthew 26:18; John 7:30; 12:23; 13:1; 17:1; Mark 12:15.) Had Jesus made previous arrangements with him? (Mark 14:15; Matthew 26:18.) What words in the disciples' message to the man settled the question of duty beyond a doubt? Was it a great honor to have Jesus take His last supper with the disciples at his house?

How did the man get this honor (v. 12)? Was the man eager to have Jesus come to his home? (Mark 14:15 R. V.) For what purpose had the room been made ready? How did the disciples show the genuineness of their discipleship? Did the directions they had received seem altogether reasonable? Has the disciple anything to do with the seeming reasonableness or unreasonableness of Christ's directions? What is the disciple's sole business? (John 15:14.) How did the disciples find everything when they got into the city?

Had there seemed to be anything improbable in what Jesus had foretold? How shall we find everything that Jesus foretells no matter how improbable it seems? What is the wise thing for us to say in the face of whatever Jesus says no matter how improbable it seems? (Acts 27:25, last half; Mark 13:31.) 2. The Institution of the Lord's Supper, vv. 14-20 Had Jesus been anticipating this occasion (v. 15)? Why did Jesus so earnestly desire to eat that Passover with them? When was He to eat it again?

What is meant by its being "fulfilled in the kingdom of God"? (Matthew 26:29; Revelation 19:19.) Are we to understand that there is to be actual wine drinking in God's kingdom? (v. 30; Acts 10:41.) What is meant by "the kingdom of God shall come"? (Daniel 2:44; Luke 21:31.) What Christian custom did Jesus institute at this time (v. 19)? What was its primary purpose? (1 Corinthians 11:24, 25.) What is the connection between this Christian institution and the Jewish Passover? (1 Corinthians 5:7, 8.) Is there any evidence of the divinity of our Lord in His thus instituting a memorial of Himself in this ancient ceremonial?

What did He say of the bread? What does the verb "is" signify here? (Ezekiel 37:11; Revelation 1:20; Galatians 4:25.) What truth is symbolized by our eating of the bread and drinking of the wine? (John 6:51, 53, 54.) When we eat the bread of communion do we actually feed upon Christ? What do we eat and drink if we do not "discern the Lord's body"? (1 Corinthians 11:29 R. V.) What did Jesus say of the cup (v. 20)? What became of the old covenant? Was the old covenant sealed with blood? (Exodus 24:7, 8.)

Why must all covenants between God and man be on the basis of blood shed? (Hebrews 9:22.) What is the significance of the blood? (Leviticus 17:11.) What further did Jesus say about the blood? (Matthew 26:28 R. V.) What does "unto remission, etc." mean? Does the blood play a very important part in the Bible plan of salvation? (Ro. 3:25; 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14, 20; Ephesians 2:13; 1 John 1:7, 9; Hebrews 13:12; Revelation 12:11; 1:5; 7:9, 14; compare 1 Corinthians 5:7 and Exodus 12:13; Hebrews 9:22.) What shall we say of a gospel that leaves the blood out?

What shall we say of those who speak contemptuously of the blood? (Hebrews 10:28, 29.) How do we know that Jesus wished us never to forget or get beyond the truth that we are saved by blood? Why did Christ institute the Lord's supper? (v. 19; 1 Corinthians 11:26; 10:16, 17.) Why did He want to be remembered? Why do men need something to remember Him by? How long did Jesus wish this ceremony to be kept up? (1 Corinthians 11:26.) To what ceremony of the law did it correspond? (Exodus 12:14.) What would we say of an ancient Israelite who neglected to keep this memorial of God's wondrous redeeming mercy as He commanded? What shall we say of a Christian who neglects to keep this memorial? What is the meaning of the Lord's supper? CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS

1. Jesus Christ

(1). His Nature:

Divine, 19; Human, 20.

(2). His love:

For His disciples: Seen in His desire to eat this Passover with them, 15; Seen in His wish to be remembered by them, 19.

For sinners: Seen in his atoning death, 20; His joy in human companionship, 15; His longing for human love and sympathy, 15.

(3). His knowledge:

Of man, 19; of the future, even in minute and accidental things, 15; of what was occurring at a distance, 10; of human plots, 10, 11; of what awaits His disciples, 10, 11.

(4). His word:

Its absolute certainty, 13.

(5). His guidance:

Explicit, 10, 11; for those who wish it, 9-11; can be had for the asking, 9; never makes mistakes, 13; a step at a time, 10, 11.

(6). His death:

Central fact of His life, 19, 20; the one thing "to shew forth," 15, 20; the one thing to remember, 19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:26.

(7). His blood:

Shed unto remission of sins, 20; compare Matthew 26:28; the only basis of communion between God and man, 19, 20; must be appropriated and drank, 20; compare 1 Corinthians 11:25, 26.

2. The Lord's Supper

A memorial of Christ, 19; 1 Corinthians 11; a proclamation of His death, 1 Corinthians 11:26; a symbol of the impartation of His life to us, 19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:29; compare Leviticus 17:11; a vehicle of the impartation of Himself, 19, 20; compare 1 Corinthians 11:29; a prophecy of His return and the marriage supper, 1 Corinthians 11:26; Luke 22:16, 18; duty of celebrating it, 19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-26; base ingratitude of not celebrating it, 19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:25, 26; a testimony against the forgetfulness of man, 19; 1 Corinthians 11:24; testimony for the tender love of Christ, 19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:24. So base is man's ingratitude that he readily forgets the redeeming love of Christ; so tender is Christ's love that He wishes us to hold Him in everlasting remembrance.

3. Man

His need of atonement, 20; forgetfulness of God's love, 19; 1 Corinthians 11:25, 26; made partaker of Christ by faith, 19, 20; compare 1 Corinthians 11, 24.

4. The True Disciple

Looks to Christ for directions, 7, 8; compare Matthew 26:17; believes what he is told, 10; asks no doubting questions, 10-13; does just what he is commanded, 13; is satisfied with "thus saith the Lord," 10-13; never forgets his Lord, 19, 20.

5. The Kingdom of God

It is coming, 18; will be a place of feasting and gladness, 16; the fulfillment of all types, promises and prophecies, 16.