This month our series is entitled Dining with Jesus and will run through Easter Sunday (March 31st).
The last 3 Sundays we've talked about the concept of Dining with Jesus. We've seen Jesus with people in difference circumstances and have been able to learn how He built relationships with people "across the table."

Is there a particular meal/gathering that you have in your family that stands out every year? Is there a particular food? A particular place? Is there particular people?

Today we will be talking about a meal that holds a lot of culture, significance, and is pretty particular. This meal was done every year with specific methods and important significance. This meal is Passover.
Our passage today is found in Luke 22:7-20.

Historical Significance of Passover

Exodus 12:18 commands that Passover be celebrated at a specific time.
We see the basic history of Passover significance in Exodus 1-11. Knowing the history helps us to understand the significance of why the Jews celebrated Passover.

Jewish Significance of Passover

You may hear the Passover meal also called a "Seder Meal." The Hebrew word for Seder means "order."
Passover was celebrated for a full week to remember God's provision, protection, and power.

Last Supper Significance of Passover

Three main elements would have been at the Last Supper in the Upper Room.
1/2 Lamb (sacrifice for sins)
Wine (blood and protection)
Unleavened Bread (promise of provision)

Meals in this culture would have lasted several hours and would not have simply been about the food but about the relationships and time spent together. This meal was no exception.
Luke 22:14-18

This was a meal that Jesus had to be looking forward to for what it represented and because of who He was with. He knew what was coming (betrayal, cross, death) but He still looked forward to spending this time with His followers.

Remember, Passover was a representation of the provision and sacrifice made for God's people. This had happened since the time of Moses, and it was a reminder of a covenant between God and His people.
Covenant is a promise between two parties.
God's covenant with Israel was that He would lead them to the Promise Land. A part of that covenant was that Israel would be a light in the dark world.
In the final verses, Luke 22:19-20, Jesus makes the new covenant.
- The new covenant promised in Jeremiah 31 is fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
- This covenant is a "New Covenant" with His blood.
- Jesus takes the bread and wine and uses it to represent His body and blood sacrificed on the cross.

Luke 22:7-13: There was preparation to be taken
Luke 22:14-18: There was priority to be together
Luke 22:19-20: There was purpose for the time

First - PREPARATION

Preparation in KNOWING and UNDERSTANDING (Head)
Preparation in PRAYER and REPENTANCE (Heart)
Preparation in TIME and ELEMENTS (Hands)

Second - PRIORITY

Schedule a time to remember Jesus and what He did! Could do this with family, your home group, or friends.

Third - PURPOSE

The purpose is:
- to remember His promise (salvation from sin and death through His obedience and death on the cross)
- and remember our promise (to be light in this dark world...to seek Him, serve Him, and share Him)

Communion

1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Bread represents Body of Christ - Given for us!
Cup represents Blood of Christ - Covenant promise with us!
"Do this in remembrance of Christ" - announce throughout our life that Christ is the Savior of the World! He is coming again!