Lenten Devotion: Preparations for the Lord’s Ultimate Suffering (Luke 22:1-23)
Day 35 (Holy Week) – 14 Apr 2025
So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.” Luke 22:8
It is noteworthy that different Bible translations provide varying titles for this passage.
In the English Standard Version, it is titled “The Plot to Kill Jesus”, while the Amplified Bible refers to it as “Preparing the Passover”, and the New Living Translation labels it “Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus”.
As I sought the Lord’s guidance in writing this devotion, I prayed for His message and direction. After reading the passage several times, the phrase “Preparations for the Lord’s Ultimate Suffering” came to mind, leading me to reflect on this theme.
verse 13 writes: “They left and found it just as He had told them, and they prepared the Passover.” This verse highlights Jesus’ calm and deliberate preparation. His instructions to the disciples were clear and specific, and the word obedience kept resonating in my heart. The Apostles John and Peter followed Jesus’ directions and faithfully carried out their tasks.
As Jesus reclined at the table with His apostles, He expressed His deep longing to share this Passover with them. His words carried both joy and solemnity as He took the wine and said: “Take this and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes” (v17-18).
Then, breaking the bread, He declared: “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (v19)
On that day, Jesus obediently followed the will of His Heavenly Father, instituting the Lord’s Supper—fully aware of the suffering and ultimate sacrifice that lay ahead.
As children of God, do we reflect this same obedience? Are we ready to follow Jesus’ example, with gratitude and complete surrender, to obey our heavenly Father’s will, even when it leads to suffering? Know that suffering is God’s calling for us, as Christ himself also suffered for us, leaving an example for us to follow (1 Peter 2:21)
Teresa Soon🙏