tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106576040450633545.post396153684921879985..comments2008-02-29T22:11:15.883-08:00Comments on Trinity Lutheran Reads Acts: The Last Supper, the Betrayal and Arrest of JesusPaul H. Mullerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04948104198500692553noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5106576040450633545.post-44021744307450336202008-02-29T21:50:00.000-08:002008-02-29T21:50:00.000-08:00Study Question1. Jesus instructed two of his disci...<B>Study Question</B><BR/>1. Jesus instructed two of his disciples to go into the city and look for a man carrying a jar of water. How do you think they were they expected to find this person among the crowds of people and pilgrims?<BR/><BR/><B>Response</B><BR/>A man would seldom be seen carrying water in 1st century Palestine – this was women’s work!<BR/><BR/><B>Study Question</B><BR/>2. Why the secrecy about holding the Passover meal?<BR/><BR/><B>Response</B><BR/>Jesus and the disciples were wanted by the authorities. Judas had already been in contact with the priests to betray Jesus, so security was important.<BR/><BR/><B>Study Question</B><BR/>3. Jesus says “This is my body, given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” And, in the same way after the supper “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you…” in Luke 22:19-20. Discuss the significance of this with respect to the symbolism in the Jewish Seder. <BR/><BR/><B>Response</B><BR/>The Jewish Passover Seder is full of symbolism. The broken bread that is hidden during the Seder (afikoman) represents Jesus as the Messiah, broken on the cross but coming back from the tomb. The third cup of wine is known as the cup of redemption in the Seder meal and this is the cup that Jesus blesses. Jesus is announcing that he is the Messiah and is the fulfillment of the old covenant.<BR/><BR/><B>Study Question</B><BR/>4. Compare the account of the Last Supper in Luke with the earliest description we have of communion in I Cor 11:23-34. What is similar and what are the differences?<BR/><BR/><B>Response</B><BR/>The communion described in Corinthians seems a bit chaotic. There seems to be no manners and some are drinking wine to excess – it appears to be a meal rather than a solemn ceremony like the Seder. Paul quotes to the Corinthians the words of institution as found in Luke, just as we do today.<BR/><BR/><B>Study Question</B><BR/>5. How do Christians commemorate the Last Supper today? What does the “New Covenant in my blood” to mean to Christians?<BR/><BR/><B>Response</B><BR/>Holy Communion is one of two sacraments in the Lutheran church and is a re-enactment of the Last Supper. In Holy Communion Christ is truly present with us again - his body and blood in the form of wafer and wine. The New Covenant is the promise God gives us of forgiveness of our sins – Jesus as the Passover lamb has died to pay the price of our fall from grace through Adam.<BR/><BR/><B>Study Question</B><BR/>6. Luther pointed to the Last Supper as described in Matthew as evidence that the communion cup should be offered to the laity. (The Roman church of Luther’s day offered only the bread to the congregation, reserving both bread and wine for the priests.) What did Luther see in the account by Matthew that is not as obvious in Luke? <BR/><BR/><B>Response</B><BR/>In Matthew 26:27-28, we read:<BR/><BR/>Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.<BR/><BR/>“Drink from it all of you.” And “..poured out for the many …” seem to Luther to make the definitive case for offering wine to the laity at communion. The Catholic church at that time interpreted the disciples at the Last Supper as priests, but Luther argued that Christ come to save “the many”, and that means everyone.<BR/><BR/><BR/><B>Study Question</B><BR/>7. Why does Luke think it is important to record the dispute among the disciples during the Last Supper? <BR/><BR/><B>Response</B><BR/>The disciples still don’t get it – they expect to achieve some sort of political coup with Jesus as their leader. Luke wants to make the point that the disciples are not yet ready for the actual mission they must accomplish after Jesus ascends to heaven.<BR/><BR/><B>Study Question</B><BR/>8. How would you characterize Jesus’ understanding of the gravity of his situation from the events and dialogue on the Mount of Olives?<BR/><BR/><B>Response</B><BR/>Jesus knows he is in big trouble and Luke shows this humanity clearly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com