Thursday, April 2, 2015

A DAY TO REFLECT & REMEMBER

                Today is a special day on the Church calendar called Maundy Thursday. It is the day that we look back upon the Last Supper; that pivotal event where Jesus called his disciples into a new covenant in his blood. The term Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum (from which we get our English word mandate), from a verb that means, "to give," "to entrust," or "to order." On this night Jesus entrusted his disciples with the New Covenant, symbolized in the Lord’s Supper. At the heart of this night is intimate communion with Jesus. This was Jesus’ last time of close fellowship with the disciples before he went to the cross. On Maundy Thursday the Church comes together to remember and reflect upon that New Covenant that Jesus passed on to us.

                This day, April 2, also happens to be my birthday. It is a day for me to pause, remember and reflect upon my life. It was in the year 1954 that I came into this world. It was in the year 1959 that I took my first step toward new life in Christ. It took place in the basement of our church, following Sunday School, when I responded to the teacher’s invitation to invite Jesus into my life. In simple child-like faith, that is what I did. My journey of new birth began on the day. The reality of that decision came home to me a number of years later, when I was 13, sitting at a campfire service at Stony Glen Camp, in Ohio. On that night, I came to realize what it means to follow Jesus and live in the New Covenant. I have been learning how to do that from that night on.

                For many reasons, this is a day to remember and reflect. All four Gospels record events from Jesus’ final hours with his disciples. In Luke’s Gospel, the heart of this day is spelled out in Jesus’ own words. 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." (Luke 22:15-16) Jesus “eagerly desired” to connect with his disciples in a new, different and significant way. Jesus led his disciples through the traditional Passover meal, which was intended to remind them of how God delivered them from slavery in Egypt. He took those familiar symbols and infused them with new meaning. He took the unleavened bread, broke it, and declared that it represented his body, which was about to be broken for them. He took the cup of wine and declared that it represented a new covenant, not through the blood of animals, not through the old sacrificial system, but through his shed blood.

                 Just as the Passover reminded the people of their deliverance from slavery in Egypt, so now, the Lord’s Supper reminds us of our deliverance from our slavery to sin. Maundy Thursday is a day to remember and reflect upon what motivated Jesus and what it cost Jesus to free us from our bondage to sin.

                Jesus was motivated by love for us. He was eager to share his life so that we can have life eternal. Jesus was willing to give his all to redeem us. Paul summarizes the heart of Christ in Philippians 2:6-8. Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Jesus, out of love, willingly set aside his glory to take on our humanity, to suffer life as we suffer life, and to die in our place.

                On that fateful night, in an upper room, in Jerusalem, Jesus extended his love and compassion to all of his disciples. Knowing that Judas would betray him that very night, Jesus still extended love to him. Knowing that all the others would abandon him, he still poured out his heart to them. He did it through his words and his actions.
                Knowing what was ahead for Jesus, reflect upon what he was willing to do. The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13:2-5) Jesus took the role of a servant to set the stage for a new order of living. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:12-17) 

                Later, John records that Jesus instructed his disciples about their future; what was to come, how they were to live, and the Holy Spirit who would become their constant companion. Than Jesus prayed for the disciples and for those who would follow; for us! At his time of greatest anguish and struggle, Jesus prayed for us! (John 14-17)

                We are often quick to rush to the good news of Easter Sunday; an empty tomb and a risen Lord. But we should not overlook the journey that gets us there. It was a journey of compassion, sacrifice, struggle and love. Tonight our church will gather for a special communion service to remember and reflect upon Jesus’ journey and ours. Whether you attend a service tonight or not, take some time to stop and reflect on the significance of what Jesus did for you.
               




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