Today’s selected reading continues in the New Testament gospel narrative of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ as it was written and recorded by the beloved physician Luke. More specifically today’s passage is found in the first thirty verses of the twenty-second chapter of this New Testament book. “Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people” (Luke 22:1-2). “Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and commune with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude” (Luke 22:3-6). “Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The master saith unto thee, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. And they went out, and found as he had said unto them: and they made the passover” (Luke 22:7-13). “And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come” (Luke 22:14-18). “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:19-20). “But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth is with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing” (Luke 22:21-23). “And there was also a strive among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at meat? But I am among you as he that serveth. Ye are they which continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Luke 22:24-30). When you come to this particular portion of Scripture you will encounter the tremendous truth surrounding the celebration of the Passover meal. It is in this chapter where we find the third account of Jesus seeking to celebrate the Passover meal together with His disciples. If there is one thing I can’t help but be absolutely gripped and captivated by when reading the words which are presented within this chapter it’s how Jesus didn’t merely desire to celebrate and eat the Passover meal together with His disciples but it was something He earnestly and eagerly desired to do. As you take the time to read each of the four gospel narratives concerning the Lord Jesus and His desire to participate in and partake of the Passover meal together with His disciples you will find that this was something which He with great anticipation and expectation desired to do with them. In fact it is when you actually take the time to begin reading that which took place on the night of the celebration of the Passover you will encounter and come face to face with just how important this truly was for the Lord Jesus. What makes this all the more captivating when you take the time to think about it is when you consider the fact that Jesus and His disciples would not have been the only ones in Judaea and Samaria who were celebrating the Passover meal. Undoubtedly there would have been Jews from the various different nations, countries, regions and lands round about Judaea and Samaria who had journeyed unto Jerusalem for the time of the Passover to celebrate it in the land of promise and blessing. Oh there is not a doubt in my mind that just as Jesus and His disciples were celebrating the Passover meal on this particular night with each other so there would have been countless homes in which the Passover meal would have been celebrated. I read the words which are found in this particular passage of Scripture and I can’t help but be reminded of three distinct times within Jewish history when the Passover meal would have been celebrated in great measure by the people of God. With this being said it is absolutely necessary to recognize that the Passover would have been something which the people of God celebrated time and time again over the years from the time Moses, Aaron and the children of Israel celebrated it for the very first time while still in the land of Egypt. Oh if there is one thing I can’t help but be absolutely gripped and captivated by when reading the narrative found in this passage of Scripture it’s how not only was and would the Passover meal have been celebrated together with Jesus and His disciples on this particular night, and not only would the Passover meal have been celebrated together in countless households throughout Judaea, Galilee and the city of Jerusalem but this was something that would have been celebrated together by the people of God throughout the years. Oh with this being said there would have been at least three different Passover meals the Lord Jesus and His disciples might have celebrated during and throughout His three and a half years of public ministry. That which made this particular Passover celebration so incredibly unique and powerful when you think about it is that it would be the Passover meal that would celebrated just before Jesus’ prayer before the Father in the garden, and just before Jesus would be betrayed by Judas Iscariot, and just before Jesus would be delivered into the hands of the religious leaders, and just before Jesus would begin suffering in the flesh before ultimately being delivered into the hands of sinners to be scourged and crucified upon a cruel Roman tree. The more I think about the words which are found within this passage of Scripture the more I encounter and come face to face that not only would this not have been the first Passover meal Jesus celebrated together with His disciples, and not only would there have been other households in which the Passover meal have been celebrated but this would not be the first time the Lord Jesus would bless and break bread before distributing it unto others. There would be at least two other times in Scripture when Jesus would bless and break bread before distributing it unto others. In fact, if you think about it there would be a third time when the Lord Jesus would bless bread, break it and give it unto others after His resurrection from the dead when He was present in the house in the town or village of Emmaus. In all reality there would be three distinct times within the four gospel narratives when the Lord Jesus would bless and break bread with one of those instances being the feeding of the five thousand and another being His feeding of the four thousand. Two of the four times in which Jesus would bless and break bread before giving it unto His disciples would be that the masses and multitude might be fulled and filled to the full while another time would be in the upper room together with His disciples and another would be while Jesus was present together in the house in Emmaus after His resurrection. Oh it is with this being said I find it absolutely necessary to first and foremost draw your attention to the accounts of the Lord Jesus blessing and breaking bread that He might feed the multitudes which gathered themselves together unto Him. Consider if you will the following gospel narratives which describe the Lord Jesus blessing and breaking bread that He might feed the multitudes which describe His feeding both the five thousand and the four thousand. In the following two passages you will find the accounts of Jesus feeding the five thousand as well as the four thousand as it was written and recorded by the apostle Matthew in His gospel narrative: “When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on food out of the cities. And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, We have heard but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither to me. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children” (Matthew 14:13-21). “Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus saith unto them, how many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children” (Matthew 15:32-38). These two passages of Scripture describe Jesus feeding the five thousand as well as Jess’ feeding the four thousand with loaves of bread and fish. It would be in these two passages of Scripture we find Jesus blessing and breaking bread as He distributed it unto His disciples. It would be His disciples who would then take that which was blessed and broken by the Lord Jesus and distribute it unto the multitudes which were seated on the grass in groups of fifties and groups of hundreds. Oh how absolutely incredible this is when you take the time to think about it for I would love to know what went through the hearts and minds of the disciples as they continued coming back to the Lord Jesus and receiving broken fragments of bread and fish. Consider that each disciple might have very well come unto Jesus once which would have been twelve different times when Jesus blessed and broke the loaves of bread and the fish. What’s more is consider the fact that in the matter of the feeding of the five thousand there would be twelve baskets of the leftover fragments that remained while in the case of the feeding of the four thousand there would be seven baskets of the fragments of the fish and the loaves of bread leftover. This indicates that each disciple might very well have come unto Jesus at least two times having received that which was blessed and broken by the Lord Jesus to distribute unto the multitude. Oh with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the New Testament gospel narrative written by John Mark concerning these same events: “And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred penny worth of bread, and give them to eat? He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? Go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men” (Mark 6:32-44).

“In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: and if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away” (Mark 8:1-9). Here in the following passages of Scripture we find the same account of Jesus feeding the multitude as they were written and recorded by the beloved physician Luke. Consider if you will the words and language found here in this gospel beginning in the ninth chapter of this New Testament gospel beginning with the tenth verse: “And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. And they did so, and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets” (Luke 9:10-17). If there is one thing that is incredibly interesting about the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke it’s that he didn’t include in his gospel the narrative of Jesus feeding the four thousand with loaves of bread and fish. We have in the ninth chapter of this gospel narrative the third of four accounts of Jesus feeding the five thousand, however, Luke would not include in his gospel narrative the account of Jesus feeding the four thousand as Matthew and John Mark would. It would be the apostle Matthew and John Mark who would include in their gospels the accounts of the feeding of the five thousand and the feeding of the four thousand while Luke would only include the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. It is with this being said I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the account of Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand as it was written and recorded by the apostle John before presenting you with Jesus’ blessing and breaking of bread in the village of Emmaus after He had been raised from the dead. With this in mind I invite you to consider if you will the following words which are found in the sixth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John concerning Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand: “After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberius. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world” (John 6:1-14). Here in this passage of Scripture we find the fourth of as many accounts of Jesus feeding the five thousand which He did with five loaves of bread and two fish. What’s more is that not only would Jesus feed five thousand men not including women and children with five loaves of bread and two fish but there would be twelve baskets of the fragments which were leftover after everyone had eaten and were fed to the full. Each of the four gospel authors saw fit to include this miracle of the feeding of the five thousand despite the fact that Luke and the apostle John did not include the miracle of the feeding of the four thousand. The apostle Matthew, John Mark, the physician Luke and the apostle John all saw it necessary to present within their gospels the account of Jesus feeding the five thousand and how he had blessed, broken, given thanks and distributing that which was multiplied in His hands before and in the sight and presence of the living God unto His disciples. Each of these four gospel authors would indeed include in their narratives the account of Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand while the apostle John would include an additional commentary concerning that which the Lord Jesus would speak unto the multitude and disciples after He had fed them and fed them to the full. Oh before we get into this particular truth I find it absolutely necessary to draw and call your attention to the incredible truth surrounding a third time Jesus would bless and break bread—a time that would come after he had been raised from death to life. In the twenty-fourth and final chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by Luke we find the Lord Jesus entering into a home in the village of Emmaus and blessing and breaking bread in the presence of two men—one of whose name was Cleopas. Here in the following verses is the account of Jesus’ journey together with two men who were traveling from Jerusalem unto a village called Emmaus after He had been raised from the grave. What’s more is that these two men would depart from Jerusalem and journey unto Emmaus even after certain women of their company made them astonished by reporting that Jesus had been raised from the dead—and not only had risen from the dead but had also appeared and showed himself unto them. These two men would journey from Jerusalem unto the village of Emmaus after hearing of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and I have often and long wondered why they would do so. If there is one thing we must needs recognize and understand it’s that these two men would depart from the city of Jerusalem BEFORE Jesus would appear unto them along the road to Emmaus, before He blessed and broke the bread in their presence, before they returned unto Jerusalem and before Jesus appeared unto them as they were gathered together with the apostles and certain of the woman. What’s more is that Jesus would appear unto them BEFORE instructing and commanding them to tarry in the city of Jerusalem while they waited for the promise of the Father and were endued with power from on high. Consider if you will the following narrative as it was written in the twenty-fourth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke: “And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were Holden that they should not know him. And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should hav redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; and when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: But him they saw not. Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us; For it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And the said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, saying, The Lord is risen indeed and hath appeared to Simon. AND THEY TOLD WHAT THINGS WERE DONE IN THE WAY, AND HOW HE WAS KNOWN OF THEM IN BREAKING OF BREAD” (Luke 24:13-35). What we find here in this passage of Scripture is incredibly powerful and captivating when you take the time to think about and consider it for it calls and draws our attention to Jesus appearing unto two men as they were journeying from the city of Jerusalem after Jesus was not only crucified, and not only on the third day after such things had taken place but also as there were certain women which came unto them speaking of angels who appeared unto them at the tomb and declaring that Jesus was alive. It would be while journeying with these two men toward Emmaus that he would expound upon them from the Scripture beginning with Moses and all the prophets those things concerning Himself which He needed to suffer before being killed and crucified and buried before being raised from death to life on the third day. These two men would experience their hearts burning within them as he taught and expounded the scripture unto them and they would entreat Him to tarry with them for the day was far spent. Jesus would indeed come in unto them and it would be there in the midst of the house that he would bless and break bread and give it unto them. What’s more is that it would be in the blessing and breaking of bread that their eyes would be opened and they would know him. In fact Luke writes and records how they would return unto Jerusalem and would come unto the apostles and speak of how Jesus was known unto them in the breaking of bread after He had been raised from death to life. Not only this but in the very next verse we find that while these two men were speaking unto the apostle Jesus himself would stand in the midst of them and proclaim unto them, saying, “Peace be unto you.” Oh how absolutely incredible this truly is when you take the time to think about it for this would be the fourth time Jesus would bless and break bread and give it unto others. As we read the four gospel narratives we know that Jesus blessed and broke the bread when He gave it unto His twelve disciples that they might give it unto the multitude of five thousand excluding women and children. We know that Jesus blessed and broke the bread when he gave it unto his twelve disciples that they might distribute it unto the multitude of four thousand men excluding women and children. We also know that Jesus would bless and break the bread in the house in the village of Emmaus together with Cleopas and the other one with him as He would be known and manifested unto them in the breaking of the bread. Oh there is something we must needs recognize concerning this particular truth for there is something to be said about the blessing and the breaking of bread that brings us into a place of fellowship and relationship—and not only fellowship and relationship but also revelation. Notice within this passage that it would be in the breaking of the bread their eyes would be opened and the Lord Jesus would be revealed, manifested and known unto them. What’s more is that not only would the blessing and breaking of the bread lead to the eyes of these men being opened and their knowing the Lord Jesus but it would also lead to their returning unto Jerusalem and being restored unto the apostles. It would be in the breaking of the bread they would receive a revelation of Jesus as their eyes would be opened and they would know Him; it would be in the breaking of the bread they would feel compelled and experience a sense of urgency to return unto the city of Jerusalem; it would be in the breaking of the bread they would be restored unto the apostles in fellowship as they would speak and profess unto them those things which had happened to them along the way and how Jesus had made Himself known unto them in the breaking of bread. THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD: REVELATION, RETURN, RESTORATION! It is with this being said I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the words which we find in both the sixth and eighth chapters of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John. Within these chapters we find the Lord Jesus speaking of Himself as being the Bread of life—and not only speaking of Himself as being the Bread of life but also as being that bread which came down from heaven. Jesus would indeed acknowledge that Moses fed their fathers in the wilderness with manna from heaven, however, even though their fathers partook of that bread from heaven for forty years they all died and went the way of all the earth. Their fathers would indeed partake of the bread which came down from heaven and which Moses had given unto them, however, that bread was not everlasting bread and would not offer unto them eternal and everlasting life. Oh it is with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John concerning the words which the Lord Jesus would speak unto the Jews concerning His being the bread of life which came down from heaven. It is what we find here in this passage of Scripture we encounter an incredible truth—namely that when Jesus blessed and broke the bread and distributed it unto the disciples to give it to the multitude He was doing more than simply blessing, breaking and multiplying physical and natural bread but He was also giving of Himself. Oh there is not a doubt in my mind that when Jesus blessed and broke the bread he was essentially taking of Himself who was the bread of life and not only infusing it into the bread which was being distributed unto the multitudes but He was also giving of Himself. I firmly believe that on this particular occasion the Lord Jesus was indeed giving of Himself—giving of His divine nature and person unto the multitudes. What’s more is that He wouldn’t simply give of Himself once unto five thousand but would give of Himself a second time as he would feed the four thousand. Oh with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John: “The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereunto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone: (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberius nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks) When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed” (John 6:22-27). “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answere and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? What dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to teat. Then Jesus aid unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth l I’ve unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. And they said, is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. NO man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore. Strove among themselves, saying, How can this may give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so that he eateth. Me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum” (John 6:28-59). “Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of o man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father” (John 6:60-65). “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?” He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve” (John 6:66-71). I firmly believe and am confident we must needs recognize and understand the words and language which are found in the sixth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John for within it we encounter the dramatic truth that Jesus was not only the bread which came down from the Father in heaven but He also offered his flesh as bread to eat. What’s more is that he didn’t merely offer His flesh as bread to eat but he also offered His blood as drink unto those who would partake of it. It was these words spoken by the Lord Jesus that would cause many to be offended with the Lord Jesus and the words which He spoke—and not only be offended but also turn back and walk no more with Him. What makes the sixth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John so incredibly unique and astonishing when you take the time to think about it is when you consider the fact that what would begin with Jesus feeding five thousand men not including women and children would end and conclude with many of his disciples turning back and walking no more with Him. That which Jesus would offer in this particular passage of Scripture was more than simply physical, natural and earthly bread but He would also offer Himself who was the bread of life come down from heaven, He would offer His flesh which like bread would be broken, and He would indeed offer unto them the bread of the words which He had spoken. Within this passage we not only find the giving of earthly and natural bread, and we not only find the giving of the bread which were the words the Lord Jesus spoke but we also find Jesus giving of Himself which was the bread which came down from heaven. On this particular occasion we find Jesus initially blessing, breaking and giving physical and natural bread that the multitude of five thousand men might be filled, however, there was something much greater and much deeper that took place than simply the giving of physical and natural bread. It is with all of this being said I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to three distinct Old Testament passages of Scripture—passages which describe certain times when the Passover meal was celebrated by the people of God. The passover meal would be celebrated for the very first time while the children of Israel were still slaves in the land of Egypt and subjected to the bondage and oppression that was present therein. It would in the twelfth chapter of the Old Testament book of Exodus we find the passover being implemented by the living and eternal God—a truth that reveals how the Passover was not an invention made up by man but rather something that was ordained by the living and eternal God. Oh if we are to truly understand that which is found in the twenty-second chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the beloved physician Luke there is a great need for us to turn our attention back to the first time the Passover meal was ever celebrated. It would be here in the land of Egypt after nine plagues and judgments had already decimated and destroyed the land of Egypt and after the living and eternal God had entered into judgment against the false gods and deities of the land of Egypt the Passover meal and ordinance would be implemented and appointed by the eternal and living God. It would be while the children of Israel were still slaves in a strange land subjected to the bondage and oppression of Pharaoh and his taskmasters the Passover meal would indeed be implemented and ordained by the living and eternal God. How absolutely incredible it is to think about and consider the words which are found in this passage of Scripture and come face to face with the wonderful truth surrounding the ordination and appointing of the Passover by the living God. Having said this I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the Old Testament book of Exodus beginning with the first and opening verse of the twelfth chapter: “And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, Theis month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: and if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eatin shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first years: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: and ye shall keep it up until he fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation fo Israel shall kill it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door of post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with t he purtenance thereof. And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’s passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for eve. Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth unleavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel. And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even. Seven days Ashley’s there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land. Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread” ((Exodus 12:1-20). “Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a. Lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come into unto you houses to smite you. And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD’s Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they” (Exodus 12:21-28). “And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians Jews of silver, and jewels of god, and raiment: and the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians” (Exodus 12:29-36). “And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks and herds, even very much cattle. And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual. Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observe of all the children of Israel in their generations” (Exodus 12:37-42). “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openers the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is m one. And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten. This day came ye out in the month Abib. And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a. Feast to the LORD. Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters. And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt. And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD’s law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt. Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year. And it shall be when the LORD that when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee, That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openers the matrix, and ever firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD’s. And every first king of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem. And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? That thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage: and it came to pass when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem. And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt” (Exodus 13:1-16). Within the twelfth chapter of the Old Testament book of Exodus we encounter the ordinance of the Passover meal which was indeed a covenant between the people of God and God Himself. It would be there while still in the land of Egypt—there in the midst of the slavery, bondage and oppression of their taskmasters and of Pharaoh himself—the children of Israel would be given an ordinance that would not only be celebrated and observed that night but would indeed be celebrated throughout the generations for years to come. On this last night in the land of Egypt the children of Israel were given the ordinance of Passover as they not only prepared to be delivered from their bondage, slavery and oppression but as they prepared to witness death sweep throughout and across the land of Egypt. On this fateful night the children of Israel would take the blood of a lamb and using hyssop would place the blood of the lamb upon the sides of the door posts and upon the top of the doorposts. The purpose of the blood of the lamb being placed—and not only placed but also seen—on the doorposts of the houses they were in was to serve a sign unto the angel of death and destroyer which would come throughout the land of Egypt. On this particular night the angel of death would seep throughout the whole of the land of Egypt and would strike down and destroy the firstborn of every man and beast throughout the land. Anyone whose house did not have the seal and mark of the blood of the lamb would indeed experience death as the destroyer would indeed move within and throughout the house. In fact Moses writes and records how on this particular night there was not a single house within the land of Egypt where there was not a dead body as the final plague and judgment of the living God was the death of the firstborn. What an incredibly powerful event this was as the children of Israel were in their homes secured by the blood of the lamb upon their doorposts and participating in the Passover meal while the living and eternal God was entering into judgment with Pharaoh king of Egypt and with the false gods which were present in the midst of the land of Egypt. When we think about the Passover meal which Jesus would celebrate with His disciples we must needs recognize that the celebration of this Passover meal would not simply be about Jesus’ looking ahead to His own suffering and death but it would also be about a looking back and a looking into the future. There in the upper room with His disciples the Lord Jesus would participate in the celebration of the Passover as He would once more refer to Himself as the bread which would be broken for them—the bread being His physical body. What’s more is that the cup which contained the fruit of the vine which was shared between the disciples on this night would indeed be the representation of His blood which would be shed and spilt for them. What makes this truly captivating when you think about it is when Jesus celebrates the Passover meal together with His disciples He was not only looking back to the judgment which the triune Godhead engaged in against the false gods of the land of Egypt but He was also looking ahead to the judgment which the triune Godhead would once more engage in with and against the false gods in the supernatural and spiritual realm. We know that from the sixth hour to the ninth hour there was darkness which covered the land—specifically Golgotha and the Place of the Skull—where Jesus was crucified and hung between two thieves. I have long believed that the darkness which covered the land wasn’t merely a physical and natural darkness but rather a spiritual darkness as all the forces of darkness, all the forces of hell, all the unclean and evil spirits, all the principalities and rulers of darkness descended upon the cross watching as Jesus hung there suspended between earth and sky. It would be through the suffering and death of the cross the living and eternal God would once more enter into judgment against the rulers of darkness, against the principalities which were present in the midst of the world. Even the apostle Paul wrote about Jesus through the cross and through His blood spoiling principalities and powers at Calvary making and open spectacle of them. With all of this being said I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to two Old Testament passages found concerning the days of two righteous kings. In the Old Testament book f Second Kings and Second Chronicles we find the account(s) of the last two righteous kings who would sit upon the throne of David in the midst of the city of Jerusalem. The final two righteous kings to sit upon the throne of David were Hezekiah and Josiah—both of whom led the entire nation and kingdom of Judah into the celebration of the Passover. Not only this but these two kings would lead the nation in national repentance, humility and worship through the celebration of the Passover with the passover during the days of Josiah being the last one of its kind for generations. Never before was there a celebration of the Passover like the one during the days of Josiah and yet the Passover which Jesus would celebrate with His disciples would be one that was absolutely captivating and powerful when you consider the language, the meaning, the symbolism and the truth that is contained within it. Having said this I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the Old Testament books of Second Kings and Second Chronicles concerning the Passovers which Hezekiah and Josiah kings of Judah celebrated during the days of their reign: “And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the Passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant. Surely there was not Holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah; But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, wherein this passover was Holden to the LORD in Jerusalem. Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD. And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him” (2 Kings 23:21-25). “Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done. He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them. And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the east street, and said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthy ness out of the holy place. For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs. Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incsense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place unto the God of Israel. Wherefore he wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see with your eyes. For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this. Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that his fierce wrath my turn away from us. My sons, be now now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense” (2 Chronicles 29:1-11). “Then the Levites arose…and they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD> And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron. Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD; so they sanctified the house of the LORD in eight das; and int eh sixteenth day of the first month they made an end. Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all the house of the LORD, and the altar of the burnt offering, with all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread table, with all the vessels thereof. Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away in his transgression, have we prepared and sanctified, and, behold, they are before the altar of the LORD> Then HEzekieh the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD. And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of the LORD. SO they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood, and sprinkled it on the altar: likewise, when they had killed the rams, they srtpinkled the blood upon the altar: they killed also the lambs, and they sprinkled the blood upon the altar. And they brought forth the he goats for the sin offering before the king and the congregation; and they laid their hands upon them: and the priests kille them, and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel: for the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel. And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king’s seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets. And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel. And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished. And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped. Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they say praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped. Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings. And the number of the burnt offerings, which the congregation brought, was threescore and ten bullocks, an hundred rams, and two hundred lambs: all these were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till all the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests. And also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace offerings, and the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of the house of the LORD was set in order. And Hezekiah rejoice, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly” (2 Chronicles 29:12-36). “And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover unto the LORD God of Israel. For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the Passover in the second month. Fort they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem. And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation. So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the Passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written. So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria. And be not ye like your fathers, a nd like your brethren, which trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see. Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you. For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them hat lead them captivate, so that they shall come again into this land: For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him. So the posts pass from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them. NEverhtless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem. Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 30:1-12). “And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation. And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron. Then they killed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD. And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, which they received of the hand of the Levites. For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the LORD. For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one that prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. And the LORD hearkened unto Hezekiah, and healed the people. And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD. And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers. And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness. For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves. And all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced. So there was a great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem. Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was healed, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven” (2 Chronicles 30:13-27). It is absolutely necessary for us to recognize the language that is found in the Old Testament passages of Scripture—from the time the Passover was implemented in the land of Egypt to the time the Passover was celebrated during the days of Hezekiah and Josiah kings of Judah. These three instances must be carefully considered when coming to the twenty-second chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the physician Luke. In the opening verse of the chapter we find Luke writing of the feast of unleavened bread drawing nigh which was—according to Jewish tradition—called the Passover. It would be during this time of the year and during this feast when the chief priests and the scribes would collude, collaborate and conspire together against the Lord Jesus. What makes this all the more intriguing when you take the time to consider it is when you read how Luke described Satan entering into Judas Iscariot who was numbered as one of the twelve. With Satan having entered into Judas he would go his way and commune with the chief priests and the captains how he might betray Him [Jesus] unto them and into their hands. The religious leaders were exceedingly glad when Judas approached them and finally gave them their inroad to Jesus the Messiah and the Christ and covenanted to give him money. It would be with this promise of money Judas would depart from their presence and look for an opportunity whereby he might betray Jesus into their hands in the absence of the multitude. Oh it is this particular phrase—“in the absence of the multitude”—which must be carefully considered for one of the main facts and realities about Jesus was that He was always in the midst of the crowds and always in the midst of the multitudes. Oh there were times when He would go apart by Himself to pray and there were times when He would take the disciples apart together with Him that they might pray and find rest for their physical bodies, however, the vast majority of the time Jesus would indeed be in the thick of the crowds and in the throes of the multitudes. As I prepare to bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the words and language which is presented in this passage of Scripture. Beginning with the seventh verse we find the day of unleavened bread having come when the Passover must be killed. It would be at this particular time Jesus would send Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare us the Passover that we may eat.” These two disciples questioned where they would go and prepare the Passover that they might eat and participate in it together to which Jesus would respond unto them concerning their entering into the city and a man meeting them bearing a pitcher of water. Peter and John were to follow this man in the house where he enters and should speak directly unto the goodman of the house, saying, “The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples?” Jesus would further go on to declare that the good man of the house would show them a large upper room furnished where they would make ready the Passover. These two disciples of the Lord Jesus would indeed go and find it exactly as the Lord Jesus had described unto them and there they would make ready the Passover. What I so absolutely love about the upper room experience here between the Lord Jesus and His disciples is that this would not be the first upper room experience they would have. I am absolutely convinced this upper room experience was the catalyst that would indeed prepare the disciples for the second upper room which would be mentioned in the second book written by the beloved physician Luke. It would be in the first and second chapters of the book of Luke where we find the disciples together with certain woman of their company, Mary the mother of Jesus, Jesus’ brethren and others totaling one-hundred and twenty in an upper room where they were in prayer and one accord. It would be there in that upper room where the promise of the Father—the Holy Spirit—would be sent by the Lord Jesus Christ from the right hand of the Father. What we must needs recognize and understand is that before that upper room could be experienced the disciples needed to first experience this upper room experience—one where they would partake of the bread which was blessed and broken and one where they would partake of the cup. It would be the bread which was blessed and broken that would symbolize the broken body of the Lord Jesus and would indicate the giving of His flesh and the giving of Himself unto all those who would partake in it. It would be the cup which would be blessed and given to drink that would represent the blood of the Lord Jesus which would be shed for the remission of sins and would offer cleansing for all those who would wash their garments white in the blood of the Lamb. The cup which contained the fruit of the vine would indeed be more than just an invitation to drink on this particular evening for it would also be an invitation to partake of it again when they would drink it anew with Jesus in His Father’s kingdom. The cup which was offered on this particular night would indeed be a promise given unto the disciples of a future hope when they would enter into the kingdom of the living God and would participate in and partake of drinking from the cup together with the Lord Jesus.