Look for the details

Luke 22:1-23
by Brian Knitter

We learned during this year’s Lent services to study the Last Supper, Crucifixion and Resurrection in detail. Why? Because there is so much is going on, and the person who reads these passages slowly will be rewarded. It is also important to look at the same storyline in the other three Gospels. Ask yourself: “What is the same?” “What is different?” The four Gospels give a full, round view of these events when read concurrently.

As chapter 22 begins, we see that Satan has “entered” Judas. Was Judas possessed? Probably not — he had opened himself to temptation, maybe because he didn’t like the speed or direction that Jesus was taking. Judas was, in all likelihood, a Zealot — a person who wanted to overthrow the Romans. As Judas discussed a “capture” strategy with the chief priests and officers, he opted for the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus went to the Temple by day to teach, Gethsemane at night to pray, then home to Bethany. Gethsemane was close, and it would be at night. Perfect. Judas had no idea where they were dining that night, so they couldn’t arrest Jesus there. Jesus had (purposefully) set that up in advance without telling the disciples. We know this because Jesus sent Peter and John to find a particular man who knew Jesus as “Teacher,” a familiar term (look to Mark 14:13 to see how Peter and John would recognize this man. The man was carrying water. This is something that men never did — he would be easy to spot!). This secret setup would also guarantee that Jesus would be arrested where and when He wanted to be arrested. Even little details like the setting up of a Passover meal, and the way it was set up, had purpose!
Notice during the meal that they reclined as they ate — not sat. This changes the way we view the conversation. In John’s Gospel, it is apparent that John is to the right of Jesus because John laid his head on Jesus’ bosom as he spoke. From the way Jesus was speaking, it is clear that Jesus knew exactly what was going on, and what would happen to him. In verse 22, Jesus says: “The Son of Man (Jesus) will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him.” Jesus knew His destiny, and He knew that the betrayer Judas would begin His demise. Again, from reading the other Gospels, it is clear that only Jesus knew what was going on. Judas had done a great job of hiding this betrayal from the rest of his friends. Even after Jesus announced that there was a betrayer at the table, the disciples were baffled as to whom it was.