April 9, 2020
Holy Week- Day Five

Good Morning Saints,

Day five in many Christian circles is called Maundy Thursday. The Bible records a number of events that took place on that day. This morning we will look at three.

The New Covenant:

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 of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 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.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. Luke 22:17-20 (NIV)

As the Lamb of God, Jesus was about to fulfill the meaning of Passover by giving his body to be broken and his blood to be shed in sacrifice, freeing us from sin and death. This giving of Himself would be the fulfillment of the Old Covenant and usher in the New Covenant. During this Last Supper, Jesus established Holy Communion, in which He instructs his followers to continue to celebrate this meal, remember his sacrifice by sharing in the elements.

Prayer in the garden:

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matt 26:36-39 (NIV)

Later, Jesus and the disciples left the Upper Room and went to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed in agony to God the Father. Luke’s Gospel says that his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. This is a time of great spiritual anguish for over Lord where he would demonstrate His complete trust in the Father’s plan.

Betrayal and arrest:

Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. Again, he asked them, “Who is it you want?”

And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” John 18:2-7 (NIV)

Late that evening in Gethsemane, Jesus was betrayed with a kiss by Judas Iscariot and arrested by the Sanhedrin. He was taken to the home of Caiaphas, the High Priest, where the whole council had gathered to begin making their case against Jesus.

Meanwhile, in the early morning hours, as Jesus’ trial was getting underway, Peter denied knowing his Master three times before the rooster crowed.

The excitement and joy of Palm Sunday had subsided. Holy Week took a somber turn on Thursday.

God bless you as you spend time pondering the events of Holy Week.

Pastor Dennis