vv 1-23 In these last three chapters of the Gospel there is a special need to deal carefully with the sacred grief surrounding Jesus' death and the ecstatic joy and excitement of His resurrection. Chapter 22 is about the Lord's Supper, Gethsemane and the Jewish Trial and is fraught with meaning. It has been the centre of argument, partly because of the apparent differences between the Gospels. This simple meal intended as a symbol of unity among all Christ's followers, has been the subject of angry contention. Each believer should realise that their attitude may mirror the betrayal, the denial and the competition for the chief place.. The immaturity of the '12' must have caused great grief to the Saviour ‑ but has it not been so until today in the Church.

We glimpse the inner sanctum of those who sat in Moses' seat. There the priests conspired to destroy the Son of God helped by one of His intimate friends. Why did Judas do it? What was it that Jesus said or did that made Judas want to get rid of Him? Was it avarice? (John 12.6). Was he trying to force Jesus to declare His Messiahship and His Kingdom? This is the view of some commentators including Dorothy Sayers in 'Man Born to be King'. The evangelists do not vilify Judas (Morris). The blame is laid upon Satan. He couches at the door, waiting to bring sin into our lives and ruin them. It happens little by little (foxes) in unguarded moments and temptation can only be snuffed out by remaining close to the Saviour.

The Feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread were really two separate feasts. They ran concurrently and were often treated as one long festival. Barclay tells how the Jews prepared ‑ in the synagogues, in the their homes and on the routes to Jerusalem. Morris suggests that possibly the best explanation of 'what happened when?' is that Jesus died at the time of the killing of the Passover lambs by the official calendar and He held the Passover with his disciples the previous evening by the unofficial calendar (New London Commentary ‑ Morris). The Gospels do not mention an animal being killed and eaten. That could only be done under licence from the Priests and in Luke 23.7 the RSV. incorrectly inserts 'lamb'.

Peter and John prepared the meal. John's family may have had links with the priests, so he might have know his way round the city. The man with the water jar was very distinguishable, as women usually carried these large containers. Was the supper held in Mary's home, John Mark's mother? (Act 12.12) Where was Mark's father? Was the venue kept secret to prevent Judas acting prematurely? It was a large house and couches were spread (Moffatt). Jews reclined according to the elders' tradition. Verses 19‑20 are worth some investigation and are partly omitted in some Greek texts. They provide a problem as to whether the cup was drunk before or after the bread was eaten.

"With desire I have desired" is characteristically Hebrew intensity of expression. Eating the bread and drinking the wine (Passover included four cups) reminders of deliverance in Egypt but also reminded them of the greater deliverance in God's kingdom. Jesus placed new meaning on these symbols or emblems. They signified that He was going to die and that His body would be broken in order to give life to all those who believed on Him. This was a representation of the blood of the New Covenant. 1 Cor.11.25 and indeed the whole of Paul's directions to the Corinthians concerning the Lord's Supper must be taken into account when studying the Gospels and comparison made between the Gospels themselves. John has so much more information about this subject including Jesus' teaching and prayer. This is a 'Memorial' of His death and God's children show to one another and to the whole world that they have a part with Him in His work. The bread and wine represent to each who participates the body that was broken and blood that was shed so that they might have life ‑ it is a sacrament. The bread and wine are also a symbol of the unity that exists between all who follow Jesus in total commitment and surrender to Him.

Jesus identification of the traitor is interesting. He expresses nothing but loving friendship for Judas; right up till His trial. There must have been great grief in His heart that this one had been lost hence the words 'Woe is that man'. "As it was determined" is typically Luke's expression and recognizes the reason why Jesus came to Earth as outlined by the prophets.

vv 24-38 Lessons in the Upper Room and Gethsemane. The disciples were arguing as to who should be regarded as 'greatest' and 'leader'. Was the argument about seating arrangements at the Passover table? Is it unthinkable that they should engage in petty squabbles like this? Is it unthinkable that we should do so? Might we not all say 'Lord, is it I?' Am I the one giving you pain and betraying you?" John 13. 2-11 records Jesus' example to them. We serve one another as slaves whoever we are and there is no room for domineering arrogance at the Lord's table.. Selfless service is the only CV we need for leadership. Shepherds in the east lead the sheep but never drive them.

But there is some comfort for the hard road that lay ahead of them. Through all the hardships and heart searching, they would eventually arrive at the Messianic banquet and the thrones of those who were sharing His Kingly reign (see RSV Rieu and Phillips vv 29,30). Jesus said this in the language of the covenant that he related to 'the cup'. The verbs 'assign' and 'assigned' are translations of diatithemai "the usual biblical verb for making the covenant" (Morris).

Peter is about to receive a severe testing but only if God in His wisdom permits. The thought of 'sifting' is very specific. The 'wrack' and 'stake' at which so many martyrs suffered at the hands of false 'brethren' was always under God's control. Peter suffered the heart searching temptation to deny his Lord. Jesus said that he would not hold up under the strain but the 'sifting' would go ahead ‑ God was analysing the character of Peter because of the great job he had to do. Peter would know himself better as a result and would 'turn' and help his brethren. When such experiences occur in our lives, we too must 'turn' ‑ repent of sin. The great 'assayer' knows what the metal needs to purify it and the furnace will not be heated one degree above what is necessary. Peter was all the better for his testing.

Jesus gave the '12' some practical advice. Firstly, He reminded them that things are going to be different from the earlier preaching tour. They would need to take material supplies but still they could rely upon God for all their needs. Whatever did Jesus mean by asking about swords? Did he really mean the kind of sword that kills people or was it a 'symbolic' sword? A literal sword would be quite against the tenor of His teaching? (Morris)

Jesus quotes from Isaiah 53 stating that he was to be "numbered among the transgressors". He is making Himself one with mankind. Does He infer that His death is substitutionary ‑ taking the place of mankind in death? Jesus final comment is "That's enough" ‑ enough swords or enough of that kind of talk?

Fellowship is almost over. Teaching time is running out. The scene moves to Gethsemane ‑ they had often been to this garden on the east side of the hill of Olives. Was this the last great battle within? Were these hours of temptation? This was normal sleep time for the disciples but it was not the first time Jesus had spent all night in prayer. Who recorded his prayer? Did He say much more? Was a teenager there, greased all over and dressed only in a strip of linen so that he could escape if caught? How much of the evening's proceedings had he heard? And what was he to make of it all? Mark tells us more than anyone else. Luke gives a brief summary. We can learn much by meditating upon this extraordinary event but the vital lesson is what Jesus told his disciples ‑ "Pray that you will not fall into temptation" - was Peter prepared to face temptation during the priestly trial? Can we prevent drowsiness in our prayer time? Writing the prayer down may help. Praying about that which causes our mind to wander sometime helps too.

Jesus had won the victory and was at peace.

 He trusted His Father completely. The time of freedom to lead and teach the disciples had ended. Now He was in the hands of sinful men who are driven by the Evil One. He was about to die for them.

(The arrest, trial and death of Jesus follows in the next study.)

DN