He seemed to know

 

Bible unfolding -  Luke 22 - Why did Jesus die?

The behaviour and words of the Lord Jesus become more mysterious. The Historian Luke, records Jesus following the normal Passover celebration routine. They gather, He with the twelve disciples, in a large upper room. Then begin the puzzling revelations:

“I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” – He seemed to know something serious was about to happen !  Luke 22:15

Again “ I will not eat it (Passover) until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God” – how could the Passover be fulfilled? Did it have something to do with the title given to Him by John the baptiser – “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”

 

As the meal was concluding, He said of the bread,” this is my body given for you.” Again: “the new covenant in my blood”. These are the terms of sacrifice, the promise of a better covenant, the means of forgiveness.

Evidently, Jesus knew not only the sufferings to come, but the purpose.

In many ways the disciples had reason for foreboding fears. In 22:30, He breaks through the storm clouds with this kingly statement: “I assign to you… to eat and drink at My table in My kingdom….”. What a moment to announce a place in His glorious kingdom. Well, I don’t know if they understood the glory of the statement, but we must perceive that this Jesus, knew the sufferings of tomorrow could not destroy the glory that would follow.

Luke 22:31    The foretelling of Peter’s denial is again evidence of His Divine knowledge. As they leave the Passover meal, the Lord links the happenings of the next few hours to the prophecies of the Old Testament.:

“For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled: ‘He was numbered with the transgressors’.”  ( Luke 22:37  -  Isaiah 53)

This is so significant since the quote from Isaiah 53 makes it very clear that the suffering Messiah  would “bear the sins of many”. This would enable the servant of the LORD to become the intercessor bringing many lost people back to God, granting forgiveness of sins and giving an abundant entry into His heavenly kingdom. Isaiah 53 is a must read to understand the seeming mystery surrounding the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Read it again today!