Words of Jesus Part 44

Luke 22:1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.
2 And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.
3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

Satan will use any vessel that will opens their heart to him. Judas had a weakness. That weakness was greed for money. Perhaps Judas had to justify himself first. Perhaps he was angry, jealous or had another reason to be angry enough with the Lord to choose to betray Him for 30 pieces of silver. I'm guessing that is was not greed alone but other emotions caused him to give into his greed when the time was right. Satan took advantage of this and entered Judas when Judas gave into these sins. Satan enters an open door.

Jealousy, greed, desiring power over others, roots of bitterness caused by hurt feelings, anger, laziness and many things open the door to Satan. Through yielding to the Holy Spirit instead of yielding to sin will keep the door closed.

Another sin we have to watch is the desire to hear something bad about another believer. When we hear of bad reports its should motivate us to go to our prayer closets and pray for that person. Hearing of their failure should cause us to react in grief, not a desire to hear more. Unless we personally can do something about another person's fall, it is better not to say anything except to God unless the one is preaching a false doctrine. Then the doctrine must be warned against.

Luke 22:4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.
5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.
6 And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.
7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover must be killed.
8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the Passover, that we may eat.
9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?
10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.
11 And ye shall say unto the good man of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples?
12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.
13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the Passover.
14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.
15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer:
16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

The bread of course was not actually turned into the body of the Lord but we are to remember the Lord's death, burial and resurrection occasionally when we gather together in fellowship. The cup represents the blood He shed for our sins.

We are not to gather together eating with gluttony and getting drunk, denying food to the poor that can't bring anything. We would bring reproach on the name of Christ in that case. This is what the apostle Paul was trying to prevent in his writing to the Corinthian church:

1 Corinthians 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.
21 For in eating every one takes before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

We are to remember what Jesus did for us in reverence and love. We are not to be riotous, irreverent and neglect the poor among us. Many teach that we are not to serve communion to those unsaved who would not understand what the bread and juice was for. I also think that it means that we are not to have big dinners and suppers and deny anything to the poor and those who have nothing to bring.

If we have fund raising dinners, a way for the poor should be made for those who can't pay or else don't have them. Partaking of the Lord's supper to remember Him should not be to satisfy hunger or thirst but done separate from other dinners to reverence Him. The best fund raising type of dinners should actually be a benefit type of dinner where the dinner was free and all they asked for was donations. In that case usually it's best if the provisions were donated. I realize this is hard to do in this day and age but it we have occasion to help the "real" poor, it is a good thing. Unfortunately there are scam artists who take advantage of that.

Luke 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

This is not teaching transubstantiation, but a holy remembrance. Jesus could not have transformed His blood into wine at this supper because He had not yet died and shed the blood. So later there is also no way a priest could turn the wafer or bread into the actual body of Christ. This is a remembrance and not His literal body and blood. It should be the same as He showed His disciples. A remembrance. Jesus is the bread of life. To eat of the bread of life is simply to believe in Him as savior and believe in Him as Lord. To believe in Him is to believe His words. Eating His flesh and drinking His blood is symbolic of believing in Him to the point of forsaking our old sinful life and giving our lives over to Him. The actual eating and drinking is a remembrance.

Luke 22:21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

Judas was warned before he betrayed Jesus. The Lord is faithful.

Luke 22:23 And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

Luke doesn't mention the washing of feel here but Jesus even washed the feet of the disciples to show them how to serve and become servants with humility. Many times He emphasized humility. He did not want us to set up hierarchy in our church governments. We are not to have a pope who rules over us as the world has kings. We are to have pastors or shepherds to watch and care for the flock of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Yet they are to be as servants, not as Lords and masters. We have only one Lord and that is Jesus Christ. There is not saints to be canonized over common people. All who are born again Christians are considered saints. God makes saints by His spirit. No one else can.

Luke 22:28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus will appoint them Lords over Israel at the right time but for now we all are to be as servants, not exalting one above another. We are to spread the gospel only, not make ourselves kings to use force against us. Only Jesus Christ Himself has that authority. Man cannot do this but have tried and the result has been the suffering of innocent people for centuries.

George Washington even refused to run for president a third term. He knew the wickedness of the human heart. After suffering centuries of abuse from the kings of England, America did not want to have a king. People also suffered persecution and death from decrees of popes and bishops who would not tolerate any differences of opinion. This must no be among God's people.

Until Jesus Himself sets up His own literal kingdom, we must not do this. We are to be as servants until His return when He does the exalting. We must not. Many have tried and failed. Even now we exalt certain personalities and TV evangelists much higher than they should be. They are just men and women who can fail and make mistakes. Jesus is the only one without sin and perfect. The same God that anoints a certain teacher is the same God that can anoint any one of us. We are to love and respect one another but not exalt one above another.

Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Jesus prayed for Peter knowing that he would need strength when if would hate himself for denying Jesus. Not only did Peter need prayer to keep himself strong and not possess the fear of men but also that he would not give up after he did fail.

Luke 22:33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

Boasting is a sign of failure. We must never trust in our own strength or we will fail.

Luke 22:34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

God will send help when we need help. Jesus was facing a great task that most of us would not have been able to do. He needed strength and God sent an angel.

Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Jesus not only faced pain and suffering but also the knowledge that sin would enter His own sinless body on the cross. I believe it was at that point that God turned His back and Jesus asked why God had forsaken Him.

Luke 22:45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

We must pray always or else we too cannot be fruitful and fulfill the task we are called to do.

Luke 22:47 And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
48 But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
49 When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him,Lord, shall we smite with the sword?
50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

I sometimes wonder about this man who Jesus healed at this point. Did he later believe?

Luke 22:52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?
53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.
55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.
57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.
58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilean.
60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

Being unequally yoked with unbelievers is dangerous. That is why even Jesus sent His disciples out two by two when they were to preach the gospel. Unless one is full of the Holy Spirit he or she would be unequally yoked when out in the company of unbelievers.

Luke 22:63 And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.
64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?
65 And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.
66 And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,
67 Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:
68 And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.
69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.
70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.
71 And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

If they only knew who was in their midst and who they were mocking. I believe Satan will mock people in hell who mock the believers in Christ or who mock Christ. Yet even if we have done these things, if we just repent and turn to Christ we too can be saved from sin and inherit eternal life in Heaven. A place of comfort or a place of torment. The choice is ours to make.

Words of Jesus Part 45

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