Printer Friendly VersionSupportive Scriptures: Exodus 12:1-30; John 6:25-59; Matthew 26:17-30 (and
parallel passages in the other synoptic gospels)
Often this special Sunday is overlooked in the church year. There are a number
of things that unite all Christians throughout the world and throughout time.
For 2,000 years we have al prayed the Lord’s Prayer. We quote the same
scriptures. We affirm the same creeds. And we all partake of this meal. On
this Sunday, it is happening all over the world! Every minute of this Sabbath,
people will be partaking of the bread and the cup. What a universal moment
of worship. Find ways to make this special. Appendix B provides some additional
resources that I have collected; some from unknown sources.
It was no accident that Jesus opened the scroll of Isaiah to the 61st chapter
on that Sabbath in Nazareth. He knew the passage and was intentionally applying
it to Himself, even though He knew that it would bring criticism.
It was no accident that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey on Palm Sunday.
He also new the prophecy of Zechariah, and he knew that the 10th of the month
was the day for choosing the Passover lamb. He was applying these things to
Himself and His New Covenant.
It was no accident that Jesus chose the Passover Seder as his final meal
with his disciples and for the establishment of a new covenant. He was applying
it to Himself.
I will leave it to a Messianic Jew to discuss all the parallelism between
the Seder and the Gospel. I would, however, suggest a few items for consideration
on this Sunday when Christians of all nations sit together at what one person
has called “the longest table in the world.”
The Passover celebrated deliverance from slavery and bondage.
The Last Supper does the same.
The Passover required the sacrifice of the Passover Lamb (without defect)
that was to grant life in the face of death.
The Last Supper marked the coming sacrifice of another Lamb. As John the
Baptist said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.”
(Jn 1:29)
(See also passages in Hebrews such as 9:11-15)
The Passover marked the beginning of the “Journey” to the “Land
of Promise.”
The Last Supper was the start of a new journey along “The Way”
that lead them
and leads us into the Kingdom God had long ago promised
– and the Kingdom that is yet to come.
The Passover marked the beginning of a new year and a new life.
The Last Supper had echoes of new beginnings as well.
They ate the Passover in haste, dressed for travel, ready to follow God at
a moment’s notice,
headed for Mount Sinai.
They ate the Last supper, sang a hymn, and went out, headed for the Mount
of Olives
and Mount Calvary.
The Passover Bread was without yeast (sin). It was broken. It nourished them
for the journey.
The Bread of the Last Supper was without leaven (sin) and so is the bread
we eat today.
It was broken. It will nourish us on our journey also.
The cups of wine in the Passover symbolized freedom, deliverance, redemption,
and release.
The cup of the Last Supper represented the Blood of Christ – signaled
the NEW Covenant
– and symbolized freedom, deliverance, redemption, and release. The cup
He drank in the
Garden was a bitter one that He would not have chosen. But he chose to drink
it for us.
During that final meal, Jesus warned them of His coming suffering and their
coming failure – Betrayal – Denial – Desertion. They were not
words that they wanted to believe, that they fully understood, or that they
were ready to face. Listen to their words during that Last Supper.
They said, “Surely not I, Lord?” It sounds like an exclamation,
but ends with a question mark. Some translations say, “Is it I Lord?”
Others, “I am not the one, am I, Lord?” They were words of self-doubt
– words of uncertainty – or delusional words of self-righteousness.
At least they were also words of introspection. (Mt 26:21)
We need to realize that we are not better persons than they. The seeds of
betrayal, denial, and desertion lodge in many of our hearts – unnoticed.
It is sad that they were unsure of themselves and would say these words. It
is sad for us if we won’t. With the Psalmist, we must pray, “Search
me. Examine me. See if there is an evil way in me.”
But even this self-doubt seems clothed with incredulity. Whether an honest
question or disguised disbelief, or delusion, this is a sad statement. It
is the moment that de Vinci captured in his famous painting of the Last Supper
– the moment that He felt captured the essence of this sacred meal and
Divine encounter.
They said, “I will never desert you . . . . I will die with you.”
They were words of self-confidence – words of empty boasting – words
they meant, but would not live up to. (Mt 26:33, 35) In fact, some translations
set these words as a vow. And they all said it. (NLT “And they all vowed
the same.”) “Pride goes before the fall.” (see Prov 16:18)
“Let the one who thinks he stands, watch out unless he falls.”(see
I Cor 10:12) It is sad that they would desert. It is even sadder that they
were not aware of their weak points. And saddest of all, that they would reject
the warning of Jesus.
They said “I am greater than you are!” They were words of self-importance
– words that tore others down – unkind words. (Lk 22:24) They have
argued about this before along the way. But here, at one table, eating from
one loaf, drinking from one cup – here after Jesus has warned them of
their weakness, they are fighting over position – arguing over status
and greatness. How disappointing!! We would never be like that! Would we?
He said, “This is My body broken for you.” It was a word of self-sacrifice.
He was laying down his life for His friends – for us! Take and eat. Here
is the heavenly manna. Let me be your nourishment and your strength.
He said, “This is My blood shed for you.” It was the sign of a New
Covenant – His blood given for the forgiveness of sins. The Old Covenant
was sealed by God passing between the halves of slaughtered animals (see Gen
15). The Old Covenant provided protection during the Passover night in Egypt.
The Old Covenant offered forgiveness through animal sacrifice. And this is
the New Covenant. Jesus has already “emptied” Himself of divine
glory. Now He empties Himself of His lifeblood. It was again a word of self-sacrifice.
He said, “Let me wash your feet.” It was an act of ministry and
grace. These were kind words that required humility – in action. Dr.
Tom Barnard has observed that washing each other’s feet is easy compared
to allowing Jesus Himself, the Creator/Redeemer, to kneel before us. push
the basin close, and to take our dirty, smelly feet into His hands to wash
them clean – to wash away the filth that we have put there.
He said, “I have prayed for you, Simon.” It was an expression of
concern, compassion, and love – words of redemption and of Divine support.
(Lk 22:32) Jesus knew what Peter was facing. He knew that Satan would attack
him and wanted to own him. He knew that within hours, Peter would be filled
with remorse. Just think what if would mean, if the next time you faced temptation
or trials, Jesus would call you by name and promise you that He already has
prayed for you! Scripture says that He has! And that is what this table is
all about.
We come to the table with our weakness and self-doubt. We come with our mis-placed
self-sufficiency. We come arguing over the wrong things, seeking status and
power, wanting a bigger piece of life.
He comes to the table to give Himself for our redemption, to cleanse us down
to our toes, to offer us grace, and to pray for us in our need.
It is here for us now, just as it was for Isaiah long ago. We meet God in
His House and are immediately aware of our need. And it is God Himself who
reaches out to us in that need, touches us with cleansing, and sends us back
out into a needy world.
And so we gather today around the table.
We come as families who are seeking to live in love at home.
We come as a congregational body -- bound to one another -- united in Christ
Jesus –
the body of Christ – the Church universal in all places through all time.
We come needing forgiveness for failing to appropriate His grace for our ordinary
days.
We come needing His power to live as witnesses where we work and study.
We come needing to learn more about becoming like Jesus.
We come needing grace to make a difference in our communities.
And so we partake of the bread and the cup.
We offer Him our gratitude and celebrate deliverance from our slavery to sin
and self.
We consecrate to Him our selves, our lives, and the moments of our days.
We receive the nourishment needed for the journey of the week to come.
We renew our covenant with Him and take the next steps of our journey with
him.
We remember and reflect.
We repent and renew.
We rejoice!
Possible Songs:
SL 747 I Come With Joy
SL 753 Come, Share the Lord
SL 749 Here, O My Lord, I See Thee (can also be sung to # 298)
SL 748 Let Us Break Bread Together
I Come to the Cross
Come to the Table
Remember Me
