Some may know this Thursday of Holy Week as the Day of
Preparation (A.T. Robertson, Harmony) as on this day Jesus instructed two (likely
Peter and John, cf. Mark 14:12-16, Matt 26: 17-19, Luke 22:7-13) to make
preparation for He and His disciples to share the Passover meal after sunset
(the beginning of Jewish Friday). It is also known as Communion Thursday – for on this evening,
while partaking the meal, Jesus gave instruction/command for the observance we
know as Communion, or the Lord’s Supper. So that for many, it is referred to as Maundy
Thursday, taken from the French, mande,
meaning something commanded, and the Latin word/phrase Mandātum novum dō vōbīs – a new commandment I
give to you.
Now the texts from this day remind us
of the intentionality of Jesus as He made preparation for the greatest act of love
the world would know. They also remind us of how Christ readied the
disciples for their future by teaching elements of the gospel itself, as well as the posture and heart they
would be called on to employ as they shared the good news.
Here we see…
Jesus’ PREPARATION: Matt.
26:17-19; Mark 14: 12-16; Luke 22: 7-13
Jesus’ INSTRUCTION:
Matthew 26: 20-29; Mark 14: 17-23; Luke 22: 14-30
Jesus’ unselfish service and LOVE: John 13:17-26
As Jesus brings an end to His pre-resurrection ministry there’s
not one detail left undone. His
instruction to prepare for the Passover was but instruction to make ready a
meal meant to point to Him.
He is the Passover Lamb about
to be slain - and His spotless blood will be the atonement made once for
all.
During the Jewish Festival of Passover a Seder (meaning meal) is observed. There are 6 unique
foods used representing Israel’s move from bondage to
freedom. And, there is the Wine,
of which the four cups symbolize Israel’s trust in God’s fourfold promise of
redemption:
“I am the LORD, and I will
bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians, I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched
arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I
will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.” (Exodus 6:6-7)
Much is written about
Jesus’ interaction with the cup or cups. Many feel it was with the last
cup - the 4th, or perhaps even the 5th - Elijah’s cup (one traditionally
left poured but not drunk from) that He took then said – “this cup is
the new covenant in my blood.” And, “I’ll not drink again of the
fruit of the vine until the day I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” But, either
way, the cup symbolized for them their redemption - and Jesus’ said plainly
that He was the New Covenant sent from God to be their redemption by His blood.
Other things happened on
this evening, as well. The disciples
discussed their loyalty, and who among them would betray Christ. Judas leaves
to perform his treacherous deed - not returning till in the Garden on the marrow with soldiers
and a kiss. And... there is one thing
more - after supper Jesus takes a towel and washes His disciples feet. The Son of God who laid out the
foundations of the world, and is now readying to die as a God’s perfect sacrifice for sin,
bows His glorious knee before these and serves.
Today Jim Denison, of Denison Forum on Faith and Culture http://www.denisonforum.org spoke
to our church concerning the threat of the IS (Islamic State) and how, as Christians, we can respond. He was clear that the intent of these who make up this movement, some 7% perhaps at most of all Muslims, are persons holding tenets that embody a radical
interpretation of their faith, its texts, and the ‘end-times.’ Their intent and goal is
to ‘serve’ their God by destroying anything and anyone not submitting to their form
of Islam – which especially would include persons and the ideology of the
“West” (the new Rome).
At the close of his
presentation Dr. Denison asked us to pray for Muslim’s around the world - that
they might come to Christ, and especially Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi – the leader of IS. Confessedly, many found this difficult.
Images of brutality, beheadings
and murder, of persecution and hate-filled rage – all in the name of God - filled
our heads. As we did so, however, I could
not help but think of this evening in the life of Christ – who after
he had told His disciples of His purpose and plan, He who was the gospel right
in front of their eyes, took a towel to wipe their feet. So that the One who was their sacrifice was also the One showing them their way.
It was a Maundy Thursday, indeed
-
Pastor Sam
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