Thursday, April 05, 2012
This reading is
from Luke 22:7-23
7 Then came the day of
Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8
Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
9 “Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked. 10
He replied, “As
you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to
the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The
Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my
disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large upper room, all furnished.
Make preparations there.” 13 They left and found things
just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. 14 When
the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And
he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16
For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the
kingdom of God.” 17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks
and said, “Take
this and divide it among you. 18 For I tell you I will not drink
again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body
given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 20 In the
same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
which is poured out for you. 21 But the hand of him who is going to
betray me is with mine on the table. 22 The Son of Man will go as it
has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays him.” 23
They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do
this.
There
are several interesting things to point out about what took place on Thursday
evening of Passion Week. Jesus has his
disciples prepare for Passover. This was no small task. They had to sacrifice
the lamb, prepare the herbs, find a room etc… Jesus would provide the room by
having Peter and John look for a man carrying water. Since this was a woman’s
job this man would most likely be easy to find. Jesus is always the provider.
All Peter and John need to do is trust him. Isn’t that all we should do? These large furnished rooms were customary during
Passover. Pilgrims who made their way to Jerusalem would need a place to celebrate
the meal and there were people willing to rent them a place. The hour, as noted
in verse 14, was sundown to eat the meal.
Jesus
does two very important things. He celebrates Passover (verses 14-18) and He
institutes the Lord’s Supper (verses 19-20).
It would have been very clear that Jesus was proclaiming himself to be the
Paschal Lamb. He is the deliverer. He is salvation.
What
a stirring moment for his original disciples and for us. Jesus was graphically
showing that He was willing to give his body and blood for our salvation. Jesus’
simple command was for us to remember Him.
Remember
His love for us.
Remember
His grace for us.
Remember
His truth for us.
Remember
His words for us.
Remember
His suffering for us.
Remember
His care for us.
Remember
His provision for us.
Remember
His guidance for us.
Remember
His death. Remember His resurrection. Remember His return.
We
are prone to forgetfulness. Jesus says simply and profoundly, “Remember Me”.
The
Bread broken means Christ is for us.
The
Bread eaten means Christ is in us.
The
Bread shared means Christ is among us.
“For
whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death
until he comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:26
Today
Lord and every day, we remember You.
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