Thursday Thoughts:
It was Thursday and time for the Passover Meal. This meal had been instituted as a celebration after the escape from Egypt, over a thousand years before the events Matthew describes in Chapter 26.
During the meal, certain foods were required and certain things were required. There were bitter herbs which symbolized the time of slavery for the Israelites, there was a sweet mixture of sweet wine, apples, and nuts that symbolized the sweetness of work, there was an egg dipped in salt water to symbolize the tears we encounter in life, and there was lamb to remind us of the Passover lamb that was sacrificed the evening before the final plague – the death of the firstborn – fell upon the Egyptians. All of Israel used this meal to remember and teach the youngest that God had given them the command to sacrifice a lamb and spread its blood on the doorposts and lintels – and the Angel of Death would pass over that household – while the firstborn died in the other homes. That lamb was sacrificed so that the firstborn of each family would live. But it required that each family follow the command of God – kill the lamb, putting its blood on the door frame of the house.
Four cups of wine were traditionally drunk during the meal. The Cup of Sanctification, the Cup of Plagues, the Cup of Redemption and the Cup of Praise. Unleavened bread – flat, unrisen bread – was eaten during the meal, the Bread of Affliction. Imagine Saltine crackers without salt. Bland, dry, thin. There was no time, you see, when the Israelites left Egypt for the bread to rise. Plus, the yeast had come to symbolize sin. This meal is still observed by most Jews today. It is called the Passover Seder meal.
The meal in that time typically began with everyone washing. Normally, a servant did this, but tonight Jesus stripped to the waist like a servant and washed the dirty, grimy feet of His disciples, which were had followed donkeys and cattle through the streets, to demonstrate that his disciples were to be servants of those they led. If Jesus would stoop to wash the filthy feet of His disciples, they were not to “take on airs” as some people would say. Christians, even today, are to remember that they are not “too good” to serve others in the most menial ways.
The meal began. We call it the Last Supper. Jesus declared that one of them would betray Him. An exchange of words occurred – it was Judas that would betray Jesus. Judas left the meal.
As the meal progressed, Jesus took bread, broke it, and passed it around. “Take and eat. This is my body.” Jesus announced, giving a new symbolism and meaning to the Bread of Affliction. He took the third cup, the Cup of Redemption, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 But I tell you, from this moment I will not drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way in My Father’s kingdom with you.” Every time Christians share Communion, we are remembering these moments, two thousand years later. There was no drinking of the fourth cup, the Cup of Praise that evening. That is still to come, when we drink in a new way in the kingdom to come…with Jesus. There is still another Supper to be had with Jesus for His followers.
There are more details in the Gospel of John, chapters 13 and 14 describe Jesus’ words. Please take time to read them. As Chapter 15 begins, they leave the meal. Jesus continues to speak as they walk, through Chapter 16.
Afterwards, they sang Psalms, most likely 113-118, as they walked out of the home, across the Kidron Valley, and up the Mount of Olives. The others would leave Him, Jesus announced. Peter would deny Jesus three times. “Never!” Peter said. “Before the rooster crows,” Jesus confirmed. They entered the area of Olive trees known as Gethsemane. Jesus chose to stop and pray; the disciples fell asleep. Jesus prayed for Himself, but also prayed for the disciples. John spends Chapter 17 repeating the prayers.
In John 18: Soon, Judas arrived with a large mob, as well as priests. They ask for Jesus. Jesus says, “I am He.” This was apparently said with the power of God, for the mob and soldiers step back and fall to the ground. (Notice the usage of the first part of the Holy name, “I am that I am”.) Jesus allowed Himself to be arrested. Peter tried to fight and sliced off a piece of one man’s ear. Jesus healed it immediately. Jesus pointed out to Peter that He could have called upon over 50,000 angels for help, but that would mess up God’s plan. Imagine how things could have been different. The disciples ran for the hills.
Jesus was dragged before the high priest. Peter and John followed, separately. While Jesus was being questioned, Peter was identified and felt he had to deny knowing Jesus three times. Just then, the rooster crowed. Peter left in shame. Will we all be shamed for denying Jesus?
The high priest questioned Jesus. Finally, Jesus said that the high priest would one day see Jesus sitting at the right hand of God and coming on the clouds. The high priest and council declared Jesus guilty of blasphemy, claiming to be a close relative of God. By daybreak, they were handing Him over to Pilate to be given a death sentence.
