Thursday, April 9, 2020

Devotional Thought – The Last Supper

Major Jim Mercer

Scripture Reading – Mark 14:12-26

As we continue to reflect on the events of Holy Week, I hope that each one of us is able to see ourselves as characters in the Passion narrative. I hope that as we examine our hearts once again, and we are moved to repentance, for it is our sin that nailed Jesus to the cross. And, it is our daily sin that continues to grieve the heart of our heavenly Father.

Today, we come to that place called the Lord’s Supper, where we again are reminded of the sacrifice that was made on our behalf. In Mark 14:12-26, we pick up the story. It is just hours away from that historic moment as Jesus is led to Golgotha’s Hill where He would face the most gruesome and horrific method of death in Roman culture. Knowing full well what lay ahead, Jesus sets out to eagerly meet with his disciples for a meal which would be the last time he would do this while on earth.

The Scriptures tell us it was the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, where it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, as a symbolic act of remembrance of what God did when he set His people free from Egyptian slavery. The death angel ‘passed over’ houses where blood from perfect slain animals was placed on doorposts of individual homes.

In Old Testament times, under the old covenant, one could only have his sins forgiven once a year, provided that a perfect spotless lamb was found and slaughtered on the altar for the atonement of sins. But, as is the case with every story in the Old Testament, everything points to Jesus.

It is here in Mark’s narrative that we see Jesus taking the lead once again, as arrangements are being made for this Passover meal. A couple of his disciples go into the city and meet a man who is aware that this is happening, and a room is booked for this special supper with the disciples. As the meal is being prepared and Jesus and his disciples are seated together, Jesus is prompted to share his heart again. While he is fully aware of the horrible circumstances that will unfold over the next 24 hours, he undoubtedly expresses a couple of things that are important for us to reflect upon again today as we too approach the darkness of Good Friday.

First, Jesus expresses his deep concern for the one who will betray him. I am sure that his heart is breaking as he recognizes that one of his closest followers in the group has decided to turn against him. I can only imagine the instant silence in the room as Jesus declares this reality. I wonder what they were thinking. Is it me he is referring to? Perhaps Peter, who is always quick to react, is about to put his hand on his sword for the second time and let this person have it. I wonder what was going through Judas’ mind? I am sure his blushed cheeks and drooping head depict a picture of guilt… don’t you think?

And, while each disciple is examining his own heart, Jesus proceeds with the Passover meal, explaining to each of them the significance of the moment. The freshly cooked lamb, the plate of bread, all the various spices that symbolically add meaning to the story, and the jar of wine, become the focus of Jesus’ final teachings to this group of imperfect and broken disciples.

Jesus takes the bread and breaks it into pieces, shares it with each of them, and, in a very tangible and personal manner, says to each one of them “take this, this is my body”. Then, he takes the cup, gives thanks again, and offers it to each of them individually. “Drink this!!! This is my blood of the covenant (a new covenant) which is poured out for many … for you!”

The message from Jesus to these first disciples at this last supper was simple: No longer will you have to rely on a perfect lamb that was provided by man for the forgiveness of sins. Today, I tell you that in a few hours, I will become the ultimate sacrifice for sin. I am the lamb sent to you by God my Father, a perfect lamb, a sinless lamb, a sacrificial lamb who will take away the sins of the world.

If only the disciples could have intentionally sought to understand what he was saying, instead of being consumed with who is going to betray him, who is going to be the greatest in the Kingdom of God , or who is going to deny Him.

In a few hours, there will be another 3 or 4 events that would culminate the journey to the cross. And again, these same imperfect, weak, flawed disciples, would become negligent in their commitment to follow Jesus. In Gethsemane, they would fall asleep when Jesus needed them the most; in Pilate’s Hall, one would betray him as he is handed over to the Roman authorities; and, in the courtyard, another would deny ever knowing him.

But, the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world, resolutely fixed his eyes on Jerusalem and the Cross. His broken body and his outpoured blood would be sacrificed once and for all so that imperfect, flawed, broken people like you and I could be forgiven of our sins, cleansed by His blood and restored by His grace.

During these unprecedented days of this global pandemic, God is given His church a marvelous opportunity to share this good news story with others. Many are doing this through various social media platforms as the virtual world continues to explode. Our current General, Brian Peddle, in this Easter Edition of The Salvationist, declares that “The Easter Message is the most profound, true, life-giving, life-changing message we can ever hear.”

As we contemplate the darkness of this week that leads us to Calvary and the cross, let us also be encouraged as we anticipate the hope we have because of Easter Sunday; with this in mind, let us make the words of this song our prayer of acclamation.

There Is A Redeemer
by: Keith Green

1. There is a redeemer
Jesus, God’s own Son
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah
Holy One.

2. Jesus my Redeemer
Name above all names
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Oh, for sinners slain

Refrain:
Thank you, oh my Father
For giving us Your Son
And leaving Your Spirit
‘Til the work on Earth is done

3. When I stand in Glory,
I will see His face
And there I’ll serve my King, forever,
In that Holy Place.

Refrain:
Thank you, oh my Father
For giving us Your Son
And leaving Your Spirit
‘Til the work on Earth is done

4. There is a Redeemer,
Jesus, God’s own Son
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah
Holy One.

Refrain:
Thank you, oh my Father
For giving us Your Son
And leaving Your Spirit
‘Til the work on Earth is done

Repeat:
And leaving Your Spirit
‘Til the work on Earth is done