Walking through Lent - Holy Week Tuesday

Luke 22:  4 - 15 - SH

Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

The Last Supper

7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”

9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.

10 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, 11 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?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.”

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer."

Look at the instructions Jesus gives to Peter and John for finding the upper room which he has reserved for their Passover meal.  Why didn't he just say, "it's the upstairs room at 45 Benjamin Boulevard in the East quarter of Jerusalem?"

One preacher speculated that Jesus did not want to give an address, because then Judas would know where the supper would be held, and he could easily arrange to have Jesus arrested in this private place.  And Jesus did not want this supper interrupted; "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you."  

Read the Passover accounts in the gospels;  during the meal, the disciples argue about who is the greatest, Jesus tells Peter that he will deny him three times, and tells Judas that he knows he will be the betrayer.  Eagerly desired this meal with this dysfunctional crew?  

Are we any different?  Remember this eager desire of our Lord's the next time you participate in Holy Communion.