Journey to the Cross 2017, Day 38

Thursday, Day 38:  PASSOVER             

Countdown – 3 days

Reading for today:
Matthew 26:17-29
Mark 14:12-25
Luke 22:7-38
John 13 & 14 (+15-17 for full discourse)

Exodus 12 (especially verses 7 & 22)

The synoptic gospels record some of the basic facts – from varying points of view, of course – but John was there. He and Peter were the two disciples who were sent per Jesus’ instructions to prepare the Passover feast. They had undoubtedly celebrated two or three prior Passovers with him, so when it came to the day of Unleavened Bread – and time to make preparation – they asked him where – and he told them.

The annual seven-day celebration of Passover commemorated the Israelites’ escape from Egypt, when God directed the people (through Moses) to bake unleavened bread for their journey – bread that would not spoil – and then slaughter a lamb and put its blood on the outside of the door casing on the top and sides of the door frame so that when the angel of death ‘passed over’ their homes would be spared. It was a huge celebration every year after that – in remembrance of the miraculous deliverance of the Jewish people from 400 years of captivity in Egypt.

The lamb they were to eat would have been slaughtered at sundown (the night before in our thinking) – as that was the beginning of their day –  and the daylight hours would be spent doing the food preparation for the dinner they would share later in the day. 

It was customary for a servant to wash the feet of the guests when they entered a home. It was a practical and appropriate gesture. They wore sandals, and the dusty – or occasionally muddy – roads soiled their feet. On this night, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. In fact, in John’s report of the evening, Jesus modeled the kind of behavior He wanted His followers to emulate. It is tender reading – both a mirror and a plumb line....

Matthew lets us know that there was more than one cup. I don’t recall what tradition says about how many there were in their remembrance celebration – and it doesn’t really matter – but what does matter is that Jesus used this moment to change the celebration to be about Him from that Passover forward instead of about the history of the Israelites.

There is a discrepancy of whether he gave them the bread first or the cup first. I’ll acknowledge that – then move on.... The words He said are reported differently as well, so the following is a summarization – with the intent intact – though they are certainly not precise quotes.

The Passover feast used unleavened bread – just as the Israelites would have baked in preparation for their flight from Egypt. Jesus took a crisp wafer of unleavened bread and graphically snapped it between His hands, then passed it to his disciples and said, “This is my body, broken for you....  Take and eat. Do this in remembrance of me.”

He also took the cup, gave thanks, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.... Drink all of it....”

The most bizarre thing is that John reports 5 long chapters of information –  most not mentioned in the other gospels – and he doesn’t report on this ‘sacrament’ at all.

Just a couple of additional observations: John may have felt the others already covered that – and he could fill in all of the other details they missed. He was there. Jesus would have followed the prescribed Passover, which slaughtered a perfect lamb to become the substitute for sin – and now He made this a model to be followed with a different application.

The Passover meal would go into the night, and in ‘their day’ move them from Thursday to Friday, since Friday (for them) began at 6 p m...

And – as a ‘sacrament’ that we follow, the words of institution say, “As oft as you do this, do this in remembrance of me.” They did it once a year – and only once a year – at Passover, at the ‘Feast of Unleavened Bread.’ And every time it was done from that day forward, instead of remembering the Israelites being rescued from the land of Egypt under Moses’ leadership, those who were followers of Christ celebrated the amazing gift of God’s love poured out for man...the Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world…Jesus’ sacrificial gift which freed us from the curse of sin.

I realize I am being repetitious, but the importance of what he changed Passover to be is monumental and is worth reiterating.  

I cannot write all the things that fill my heart....  In John’s account, it appears they leave the Upper Room at the end of Chapter 14 – but on their journey to the Mount of Olives Jesus continues teaching them.... Re-reading these words now with all of this clearly in mind: knowing Judas has left to betray Jesus – yet Jesus’ focus is on final teaching moments – with some of my most favorite messages shared – between the upper room and the Mount of Olives, as they cross the Kidron Valley....

Read them for yourself, from His perspective.... I am the vine, you are the branches.... My command is this: love each other as I have loved you....

What amazing love....

Jesus gets no sleep tonight….