Bible Discussion — Luke 22

May 21, 2008, 8:00 pm; posted by
Filed under Bible, Chloe, David, Josh J, Steve  | No Comments

This week, Bweinh.com looks at the next chapter of Luke, Luke 22.

PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS:
Genesis: 1-4 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-18 | 19-22 | 23-26
27-29 | 30-32 | 33-36 | 37-39 | 40-43 | 44-46 | 47-50
Exodus: 1-4 | 5-8 | 9-11 | 12-14 | 15-18
19-22 | 23-26 | 27-30 | 31-34 | 35-40
Romans: Ch. 1 | Ch. 2 | Ch. 3 | Ch. 4 | Ch. 5 | Ch. 6 | Ch. 7 | Ch. 8 (I)
Ch. 8 (II) | Ch. 9 | Ch. 10 | Ch. 11 | Ch. 12 | Ch. 13 | Ch. 14 | Ch. 15-16
Luke: 1:1-38 | 1:39-2:40 | 2:41-3:38 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14-15 | 16-17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21

 
INTRODUCTION:
David:
Here Jesus says farewell to His puzzled disciples and faces arrest and trial before giving Himself for the sin of this world.

Steve:
The Last Supper and Christ’s prayer in the garden. Fascinating and compelling narrative that takes us back two millennia to personally witness the agony that brought our peace.

 
SOMETHING YOU’D NEVER NOTICED BEFORE:
Josh:
Verse 36, where Jesus tells His disciples to buy swords, seems a bit troubling, like an endorsement of violence. But one minute after telling them all to get a sword, He told them that two were enough for the whole group (v. 38). Then, when they actually used one — a mere flesh wound — He immediately stopped them and healed the man (vv. 50-51). In this context, Jesus\’ words seem more of a warning to be prepared for strife, because the real battle is finally coming.

David:
Even at the last supper, while Jesus discussed his death, the disciples were still carrying on the argument from the start of their trip: who would be the greatest after Jesus was gone.

Steve:
Verse 18 explains some of that confusion about the current generation not passing away until the Kingdom of God came — Jesus here seems to be explicitly referring to His resurrection.

 
BEST BAND NAME FROM THE PASSAGE:
Josh: Treacherous Kiss, Hour of Darkness
David: Perverting the Nations
Steve: Fervent, Stone’s Throw

 
DEEP THEOLOGICAL MEANING:
Steve:
What more can be said about the body and blood of Christ, broken and shed to make a new covenant between God and man? He made a way for us to be saved.

David:
Jesus came to die for sinners.

Chloe:
There’s so much in this chapter, but the part that lends me the most comfort is when Jesus tells Peter that he will betray Jesus not once, but three times. And then he says, “And when you have turned back, strengthen our brothers.” Peter fell and Jesus still used him for great things. If I fall, He’ll still take me back.

 
STORY IT REMINDS YOU OF:
Chloe:
I once went to an afternoon Communion service in Philadelphia with a good friend. It was an open service, so the people who attended literally just walked in off the street. I only knew my one friend. But we all knelt around the altar and received communion, and I was struck by the fact that the people around me were my brothers and sisters, united under the name of Jesus Christ. Since then, communion has never meant so much as when I share it with strangers.

Josh:
This is an important passage for someone like me who comes from a church that doesn\’t practice communion, at least not in the traditional sense. Stressing function over form, we remember Christ whenever we break bread together. On one occasion some friends and I had communion with Twinkies and Mountain Dew, not to make a point, but because that was the food we shared — and I don\’t mind telling you that it was beautiful.

David:
Jesus sweating blood while overcoming temptation in the garden reminds me of Paul saying, “You have not yet resisted unto blood striving against sin.”

 
RANDOM THOUGHT:
Josh:
Much like the triumphal entry, Jesus gave His disciples specific instructions for preparing the Passover. I\’ve often wondered if He actually spoke with these other people in advance, or just used a little omniscience to pull it off.

Chloe:
Verse 45 sounds like Luke feels sympathy for the disciples; either that, or he’s being ironic. After all, Jesus would be more exhausted from sorrow than any of them, and yet He stayed awake and prayed all night.

David:
When they asked Jesus to prophesy blindfolded about who was hitting Him, He probably could have answered them.

Steve:
Jesus talks of the “power of darkness” in verse 53, power which He effectively granted earlier in the garden.

 
VERSE TO REMEMBER:
David:
22:48 — “But Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?’ ”

Chloe:
22:46 — “Then He said to them, ‘Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.’ ”

Josh:
22:70 — “Then they all said, ‘Are You then the Son of God?’ So He said to them, ‘You rightly say that I am.’ ”

Steve:
22:69 — ” ‘Hereafter the Son of Man will sit on the right hand of the power of God.’ ”

 
PORTION YOU WOULD MOST LIKE EXPLAINED IN HEAVEN:
Josh:
I\’ve often struggled with the theology around Judas and the betrayal. Verse 3 specifically attributes his actions to Satan, and Christ himself speaks woe to the betrayer in verse 22. But the Scriptures repeatedly affirm that Christ\’s entire purpose was to die. Judas played a part in the salvation of the whole world. The whole thing was messy and ugly and terrible, but wasn\’t that the way it had to be?

David:
The exhortation to sell everything and buy a sword.

Chloe:
In vv 36-38, what does Jesus mean when He’s telling the disciples to carry swords?

 
LESSON TO TAKE AWAY:
David:
Sometimes our walk with God is like this chapter. All we can do is sit back and watch it unfold in horror. God can explain it all later, but at the time, it is just too overwhelming.

Josh:
Jesus prayed so earnestly that His sweat fell like blood. When I pray, I\’m much more likely to make like the disciples and fall asleep. I need to take prayer more seriously.

Chloe:
There will be people against you; obey God when he tells you to go somewhere, fellowship with other Christians, and don’t forget that you’re all equal. Pray without ceasing that you won’t fall into temptation. Don’t cut off other people’s ears, because Jesus is not about a rebellion. Other Christians may betray you. You may betray God (but He’ll forgive you). People will mock Jesus, who is the Son of God.

 
CONCLUSION:
David:
The Son of Man\’s hour has come.


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