Chapter 22 begins the Passion of Jesus. The action moves
pretty quickly and there’s a lot here. Let’s tag some highlights.
It starts with a meeting among the Jewish establishment to
conspire against Jesus (vv. 1-6). The Jews had to stir up the masses to put
enough pressure on the Romans to avoid an uprising by crucifying Jesus. We also
read here of Judas falling to temptation and betraying Jesus.
Luke then recounts the event of the Last Supper, a sequence
of events with which we are familiar. Remember the significance of the
Passover- the Exodus, the Lamb, the Bread, the Wine. The New Exodus if a
Passover from Death to Eternal Life. Jesus is the Lamb of God who will be
slaughtered on the Cross and whose blood will be spilled for the Redemption of
all Humankind. The Bread, the Eucharist, is that which will give life, more
than the quail and manna that fell from Heaven during the Exodus. The wine
become Blood is that which will mark the New Covenant- that those who eat and
drink the Body and Blood of Jesus will live forever and have communion with
him.
Even in this sublime action there is classic bickering among
the apostles about who is the greatest between them. Jesus quickly puts an end
to that discussion. Peter’s denial is foretold. This denial will solidify two
things for Peter: his humility and his remarkable dependence on Jesus’s
forgiveness.
Jesus sort of gives Judas permission to do what he needs to
do in vv. 35-38. The swords represent the great battle that will occur between
the forces of good and evil in the coming events, and at the end of time.
Jesus, for his part, seems a little frustrated at this point though. Perhaps he
is at the time when he wants to accomplish the Father’s will.
We know the rest of this chapter, the events that
transpire that lead Jesus to his false trial, torture, crucifixion and death.
By way of prayer, look at vv. 54-62. Notice the way Jesus
and Peter interact, especially towards the end of that section. Notice the
description of Peter’s sorrow- he wept bitterly. Scholars say that the bitterly
connotes a certain sorrow, and guilt and shame that will allow Peter to see his
denial, but also accept Jesus’s forgiveness and then he will be prepared to
serve Jesus and the Gospel for the rest of his life- even giving his own life
for the Gospel. In other words, sometimes, it can be remarkably healthy to
“cry” over our sins. It reminds us that we are human, and when we go to Him, he
forgives us and empowers us and restores us. Him. Only Him.
Point for Prayer
“Holy Shepherd and Lamb of God, you became more giving and
loving the more you suffered. AS the forces of pain closed in on you, trying to
fill you with self absorption, you burst through with affection, healing,
forgiveness, and love for each person you touched. Fill me with such a divine
attitude that I may let your magnificent obsession with love pour out through
me to the world. Amen”(199).
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