10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of
The Last Supper - Matthew 26
The Passover with the Disciples
17 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.
20 When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve.[b] 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” 23 He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 25 Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”
Institution of the Lord's Supper
26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the[c] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”
30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
A New Passover, a New Lamb, a New Exodus
After Jesus' sacrifice as the Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world the Jewish ceremony of Passover was forever changed. Her pilgrimage in the old world of Canaan from Egypt had become transformed to God's new living promise of spiritual redemption, revival, and renewal, by His Son Jesus. Henceforth, after Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, the Spirit of God would forever blow upon the hearts of believing men and women to raise up a new body of redeemed as God's empowered people forever transfixed upon the cross of Jesus. Who have died in the name of Jesus to be raised up by that same power of the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave to live forth God's love and forgiveness, mercy and justice, each resurrected day.
With the church's birth on Pentecost began its new exodus from the lands of sinful humanity unto the lands of spiritual renewal and rebirth. It's celebration was on the basis of the Lamb of God slain at Passover for the sins of mankind to be raised three days later from death unto life. Thus replacing the Jewish tradition of Passover to that of the church's celebratory Eucharist or, Communion Table, where Christ's broken body is symbolized with the breaking of bread, and His shed blood by the pouring out of new wine upon the lips of all penitents.
By this transformation has Jesus become the new bread and new wine to the new life in the Creator-God whereby He transforms, reforms, and conforms, each believing heart to His Son's Cross of salvation and empowering resurrection. That none escape so great a sacrifice and privilege of new life created in Christ Jesus, and by His holy power. That this old world be forever left behind into the hands of God who spared not His Son for the joy sent before Him - namely for the joy of redeeming those who would follow in repentance and confession before His holy name and living atonement.
For the people of God have arisen from the grave of sin and death unto the living joy that Jesus saw before Him by the Spirit of God in the Garden of Gethsemane. So great a joy that it carried Him to the Cross of Sacrifice and held Him by no other power than by the power of His own will and testament. That by this certainty in the power of His resurrection and salvation to come would arise a new Passover, a New Lamb, a New Exodus, redeemed from the land of the living to the land of the resurrected.
Holding forth a new Kingdom, and a new World, and a new Earth, to all who would become pilgrims until Jesus' second Advent-Coming as King, Ruler, Lion, Suzerainty, unlike His first Advent-Coming as Shepherd, Immanuel, Messiah, Lamb, Prophet, Priest, Rabbi, and Stricken Servant. For how could the Prince of Life truly die - He who was ever the Living Lord and Eternal God?
Nay, but for Love's sake, and Love alone, did the living God forge in the fires of hell swords made for righteousness, and ploughshares for peace and justice. With shields of faith and sandals shod with the Gospel of Life and Salvation. With hands and ears, tongues and hearts, that would serve others no matter how batter and bruised, with the book of life until He comes again. Forging an earthly kingdom prepared for His reign in grace and peace, humility and justice, love and forgiveness.
By no other tools or gospel does the Church of God come to humanity but by these holy implements. By these works and words shall we know the true people of God who have hearts made obedient upon Christ's witness and testimony in this life so many long years ago. Who serve on bended knees and with helping hands. With humbled hearts and bowed heads. Dispensing God's rich blessings against this life of sin and death, cruelty and harm.
Praise be to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for their Almighty love and gracious mercy upon us poor sinners this day. To the God who is our eternal hope, and daily presence, be praise both now, and forever more, Amen.
R.E. Slater
April 22, 2011
rev. March 30, 2013
Observations on an Easter Weekend
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