Matthew 26:17-29 The Passover with the Disciples

Today, we celebrate Maundy Thursday. It is the time when Jesus celebrated his Last Supper with the disciples. That Supper was none other than the Passover celebration. The Passover is a celebration that remembers how God liberated Israel from slavery in Egypt. This celebration was held in a home with family. The celebration begins with the search for leaven in the house. The house must be cleansed from all leaven, a symbol for sin, disobedience and rebellion towards God. After the burning of the leaven found, people sip on the first cup of wine which is the cup of sanctification, symbolizing the purging of our souls from sin followed by a ceremonial hand washing.

Next, the people at the table dip parsley in salt water and eat it. The parsley represents the hyssop that was used to place the blood of the lamb on the doorposts. God instructed Israel to place the blood of the lamb to be cooked and eaten that night on their doorposts so that the Angel of Death would pass over their homes and spare the lives of their firstborn. Jesus is identified as the Lamb of God and by his blood, we are spared from condemnation on the final judgment. The matzahs, unleavened bread, are uncovered representing the bread of affliction.

After remembering the plagues by which God afflicted the Egyptians to let Israel go, the presider shows a shankbone to remember the lamb that was sacrificed on that night to spare the lives of God’s people. The second cup is taken which is the cup of judgment followed by another washing of hands. After giving thanks, a piece of matzah bread is eaten by all. Then a piece of matzah with bitter herbs representing the suffering and oppression in Egypt. Then a piece of matzah is eaten with “charoseth,” a mixture of apples and nuts representing the mortar used by Israel during their hard labor as slaves. This is the point at which Jesus announced his betrayal. Judas was dipping in the dish to eat the charoseth. And then the meat of the lamb is eaten.

Now the “aphikomen” was the middle piece of the three matzah breads that was hidden while people ate the lamb and later the children hunt for it all over the house. Once found, the bread is brought out and distributed to the people to eat. It is at this point that Jesus gives the command (mandate, that’s why it is called Maundy Thursday) to eat this bread because it represents his body. The “aphikomen” is followed by the third cup of wine, the cup of redemption. It is this cup that Jesus uses to command the disciples to drink because it represents his blood in the new covenant.

The ceremony ends with the fourth cup, the cup of praise and people worship with songs that praise the greatness and power of God in the liberation of his people Israel. Just like Israel was freed from slavery in Egypt, we have been freed from sin in this world. Through the blood of the paschal lamb, Jesus Christ, we are cleansed from all sin and spared from all condemnation. Praise the Lord! The command to celebrate communion is rooted in the Passover ceremony filled with so much meaning for Israel and for us.

Father, thank you for sending Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. May I always remember the liberation he has mightily performed on our behalf.

Matthew 26:17-25 The Passover with the Disciples

The Passover is a Jewish feast celebrating the liberation of Israel, God's people, from Egypt, the land of slavery. Specifically, it alludes to the night in which the firstborn children of the Israelites were spared because they put the lamb's blood on their doorposts. Death passed over their houses and caused no harm to their firstborns. Jesus gets ready to celebrate this feast with his disciples. It must've been an occasion with mixed feelings. On the one hand, it was a joyous occasion because Jesus is the lamb to offer his blood for the redemption of mankind. On the other hand, the price for that redemption is his life and before then, his betrayal.

Judas had been with the Lord for over three years now. He walked with him. He witnessed his miracles. He heard his teachings. But more than that, Judas experienced the intimate fellowship that few human beings have experienced with the Lord. Jesus loved him and cared for him. But it was Judas who sold Jesus out for thirty pieces of silver and the Lord knows it. Yet he continues to love him and care for him, but it must have broken his heart.

Betrayal is a breach in trust of such magnitude that it seems nothing can repair it. But the love of Jesus never stopped flowing towards Judas. The pain and the agony his betrayal caused Jesus was used for a great purpose. Unfortunately, Judas' end was not glamorous. Why is it that some people cling to the Lord and others don't? Ultimately, the answer is in the hands of a Sovereign God. Can I trust him? Can I trust his purposes?

I have betrayed my Lord plenty of times. The pain and the suffering I have caused cannot be measured. But the love of God has reached my heart and filled me to overflowing, forgiving my past and giving me hope for a better future. Many have betrayed me as well. Will I continue to love? Will I forgive? Will I pray that God will reach them with the same hope that is in my heart?

Lord, I pray that you fill me with love and compassion for those who betray me so I may forgive. Thank you for your forgiveness as my betrayal caused you much pain. May your mercy and benevolence flow through me unto others.

Matthew 26:1-16 Jesus Anointed at Bethany

After arriving in Jerusalem, Jesus announced to his disciples that it was a matter of days before his death by crucfixion. The chief priests and the elders were plotting to arrest him and kill him. It is at this time that Judas Iscariot offers them his services for thirty pieces of silver and seeks for an opportunity to betray him. Hatred and betrayal are at their peak. 

In the midst of such high tension, the Scriptures paint one of the most beautiful pictures of worship to Jesus. Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, brings a pound of ointment made of pure nard. It was a very expensive perfume used for very special occasions and it was valued at the total wages for a worker in a year. Combining the perspectives from Matthew and John (12), she anointed Jesus, head and feet, and wiped his feet with her hair. Jesus called it a "beautiful thing" unto him as she unknowingly prepares his body for his burial.

For many, this act of worship was a waste. In fact, some questioned why the perfume wasn't sold and the proceeds given to the poor. Jesus intervenes on behalf of Mary and declares that there will always be opportunities to serve the poor, but not many opportunities are left to serve him due to his impending death. Jesus was pleased while the world was angry.

Giving my best to honor Jesus is never a waste. It is a beautiful thing. A heart of worship does not put a price tag on what it offers. It is not ashamed to display its passion and fervor in public. It does not care about the criticism of others. It is not afraid to honor and exalt the worth of Jesus. True worship is to offer my best in humility for the glory of my Lord.

Lord, I want to honor you as you deserve. May I always give you my best without fear of criticism. May I never hold back anything from you.