A Hint of Things to Come, Maundy Thursday, part 2

Go to Part One, In Remembrace, Maundy Thursday, part 1

Part 2

On the first day of Passover, the Festival of Unleavened Bread, Jesus and His Disciples prepared to take the Passover Meal together. As usual, an unblemished lamb was sacrificed for the meal. But although the disciples had no idea, this year, there would be two sacrificial lambs. 

During the meal, Jesus said something that didn’t make sense to them… at the time.  “Before I suffer?” “Until the kingdom of God comes?” What could He mean? Things were going so well. Just days before, He rode into town amidst shouts of praise, “Hosanna!” 

When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.  For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”    (Luke 22:14-18)

Then He told them that one of them would betray Him. In addition, another would deny Him three times before the morning. They were stunned and unbelieving.  Yet it was true. 

But the hand of him who is going to betray me is with mine on the table.  The Son of Man will go as it has been decreed.  But woe to that man who betrays him!” They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.    (Luke 22: 21-22)

In Remembrance, Maundy Thursday, Part 1

Part One

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.  This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  (Matthew 26: 26-27)

This did not all make sense, but Jesus often spoke in ways they did not understand until later. In Luke’s Gospel, it is recorded that Jesus told us when we participate in the Lord’s Supper, “that we do so in remembrance of Him.” He broke the unleavened Passover bread, telling the disciples things they did not yet understand. We do this now, remembering the sacrifice made for us, when we take communion. As we do, we ask forgiveness for our sins and weaknesses.

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.”  (Luke 22:19)

Music has a way of expressing things for us in simple terms. There was once a musical called, “Celebrate Life!” written by Ragan Courtney and Buryl Red, about the life of Jesus. It was new when I was in high school and our youth group went to various churches performing it with actors, musicians, and speakers. It is still relevant today.

The song about the Last Supper, this Passover Meal, is by far not only my favorite song from that musical, but one that is special on it’s own.  If Jesus were to write a song telling us what to do, this just might be it. Do these things, in remembrance of Him.

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Part 2 of my Maundy Thursday message is, A Hint of Things to Come, Maundy Thursday, part 2
The words to the song are below and here's a link so that you can enjoy the music. In Remembrance of Me

In Remembrance
In remembrance of Me eat this bread, In remembrance of Me drink this wine
In remembrance of Me pray for the time, When God's own will is done.

-In remembrance of me heal the sick, In remembrance of me feed the poor
In remembrance of me open the door, And let your brother in, let him in
 

Take eat and be comforted, Drink and remember too
That this is my body and precious blood, Shed for you, shed for you
 

In remembrance of me always love. In remembrance of me don't look above

But in your heart, in your heart. Look in your heart for God
Do this in remembrance of me.