Weekend Recharge

BE SURE TO READ UTLEY’S EXPLANATION OF THE BURIAL SPICES, JESUS’ SEVEN SAYINGS FROM THE CROSS, AND AN ORDER OF SERVICE FOR A FIRST-CENTURY PASSOVER. 

DAILY DEVO SUMMARY | September 28–October 2

LUKE 22:1–38: THE LAST SUPPER AND THE NEW COVENANT
Luke 22:1–38 takes us into the final hours before Jesus’ crucifixion, when Passover, Judas’ betrayal, the last supper, and Jesus’ final teaching to his disciples converge. During the Passover meal, Jesus instituted communion and declared that his body would be given and his blood poured out to establish the new covenant promised through the prophets. While he prepared to give his life, the disciples argued over who among them was the greatest, prompting Jesus to redefine greatness as humility and servant leadership. He also warned Peter that Satan would test him and exposed the danger of spiritual overconfidence, even as he assured Peter that he was praying for his faith. As Jesus prepared his followers for a world that would reject them, he reminded them that his kingdom would not be built on earthly power but through his sacrificial death, resurrection, faithful servants, and the coming eternal kingdom.

LUKE 22:39–71: WHEN JESUS FACED THE CROSS: PRAYER, BETRAYAL, DENIAL, AND SURRENDER 
Jesus enters Gethsemane knowing that the cross is only hours away and wrestles honestly with the agony of what lies ahead. His prayer, “Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done,” reveals both the depth of his suffering and his surrender to the Father’s plan. While Jesus remains faithful, Judas betrays him, Peter denies him, and the religious leaders reject his deity as the Son of God. Even in the chaos of his arrest, Jesus responds with compassion, healing Malchus’ wounded ear rather than allowing violence to define his mission. This passage calls us to follow Jesus in praying honestly, surrendering completely, resisting temptation, trusting God in suffering, and remaining faithful when our faith is tested.

LUKE 23:1–43: THE CROSS OF JESUS: SAVED BY GRACE, NOT BY WORKS
Jesus stands trial before Pilate and Herod, yet neither can find legitimate grounds for his execution, highlighting the innocence of the One who would willingly die for sinners. While the crowd demands Barabbas—a guilty murderer and insurrectionist—Jesus, the innocent King, is condemned to the cross in his place. Even as Jesus is mocked and crucified, he demonstrates the heart of God by praying, “Father, forgive them,” and promises paradise to a condemned criminal who turns to him with genuine faith. The criminal on the cross could offer no good works, religious credentials, or opportunity to change his life, yet he was saved by grace because he trusted the King dying beside him. The cross reminds us that our hope before God is not what we have done for him but what Jesus has done for us—“The man on the middle cross said I can come.”

LUKE 23:44–24:12: JESUS IS RISEN: THE CROSS, THE EMPTY TOMB, AND THE HOPE OF RESURRECTION
Luke 23:44–24:12 takes us from the supernatural darkness surrounding Jesus’ death to the supernatural victory of his resurrection. On the cross, Jesus—the sinless Lamb of God—bore our sins, opening the way into God’s presence as the temple curtain was torn in two. His burial by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy that the suffering servant would be buried with a rich man, confirming that Jesus truly died. On the third day, the women discovered the stone rolled away, the tomb empty, and the angels declaring, “He is not here, but has risen.” The resurrection changes everything: Jesus conquered death just as he promised, giving his followers reason to trust his Word, live in his presence, and hope in the resurrection.

LUKE 24:13–53: THE RESURRECTION APPEARANCES
Jesus appears to his confused and discouraged followers, beginning with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. He showed them that his suffering, death, and resurrection were not a tragic interruption of God’s plan but the fulfillment of what Scripture had promised, explaining “in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” When their eyes were opened, they recognized Jesus, and their hearts burned as he opened the Scriptures to them. Jesus then appeared to the larger group, proving that he had truly risen bodily, commissioning his followers to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sins to all nations, and promising the power of the Holy Spirit. Finally, Jesus ascended into heaven, and his followers returned to Jerusalem with great joy, now understanding that the risen Jesus was their King, who would continue his work through the power of the Spirit.

SPECIAL TOPIC: ORDER OF PASSOVER SERVICE IN FIRST CENTURY JUDAISM

1. Prayer
2. Cup of wine
3. Hand washing by host and passing of basin to all
4. Dip of bitter herbs and sauce
5. Lamb and main meal
6. Prayer and second dip of bitter herbs and sauce
7. Second cup of wine with question-and-answer time for children (cf. Exod. 12:26–27)
8. Singing of the first part of Hallel, Psalm 113–114 and prayer
9. Master of ceremonies makes sop for each one after washing his hands
10. All eat until filled; finish with a piece of lamb
11. Third cup of wine after washing hands
12. Singing second part of Hallel, Psalm 115–118
13. Fourth cup of wine

SEVEN SAYINGS FROM THE CROSS

The four gospels record seven sayings of Jesus on the cross.

The first was addressed to God and was a prayer on behalf of those who were crucifying him: ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’ (Luke 23:34).

The second was said to the penitent criminal, dying on a cross beside him: ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise’ (Luke 23:43).

The third was spoken to his mother, Mary, and the disciple John: ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother’ (John 19:26, 27).

The fourth was a cry to God: ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ (Matt. 27:46; Mark 15:34).

The fifth was an exclamation: ‘I am thirsty’ (John 19:28).

The sixth was a cry of triumph: ‘It is finished!’ (John 19:30).

The seventh was his committing himself to God as he died: ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit’ (Luke 23:46).

SPECIAL TOPIC: BURIAL SPICES

1. Myrrh, a fragrant gum from Arabian trees
   1. This spice is mentioned twelve times in the OT, mostly in wisdom literature as a perfume
   2. It was one of the gifts brought by the Magi to baby Jesus (cf. Matt. 2:11)
   3. Its symbolism is striking
      1. used in “holy anointing oil” (Exod. 30:23–25)
      2. used as a gift for a king (Matt. 2:11)
      3. used to anoint Jesus at his burial (cf. John 19:39 and symbolically in John 11:2). This was according to Jewish customs described in the Talmud (i.e., Berakhoth 53a).
2. Aloes, a fragrant type of wood
   1. Fragrant perfume was made from this type of tree (cf. Num. 24:6; Ps. 45:8; Pro. 7:17; Song of Songs 4:14)
   2. It was used, mixed with myrrh, by the Egyptians as part of the embalming process
   3. Nicodemus brought a large amount of this to Jesus’ burial and anointed him with it (cf. John 19:39). This was according to Jewish customs described in the Talmud (i.e., Betsah 6a).^[1]