Three Paths of Passover
Notes
Transcript
Can you walk and chew gum at the same time? - Don’t answer that!
We’ve all heard that expression. It’s not necessarily talking about walking and gum. It’s talking about being able to do two things at the same time. But what do we mean by that?
I think we could mean one of two things.
First, we could mean using one moment to try and do two task simultaneously. How are you at doing that? - Probably not as good as you think you are! Texting and driving? Talking on the phone and working on your computer? You get the idea. We do poorly at trying to divide our attention between two things.
The other thing we could mean is taking a single action that has effect in several spheres.
Walking your dog: exercise, being a good pet owner, meeting your neighbors.
Helping out a coworker: getting the job done, mentoring, expanding your experience.
Making dinner together: well, dinner!; enjoying each-others company; making a mess!
This is the type of thing we do all the time. Most of the time we don’t realize what all we are doing. Jesus’ life was full of layered application. He was never just ministering to people. He was teaching and training, fulfilling prophecy and pointing to His glory.
As we look at a day in the lives of Jesus and the disciples, there are layers of what Jesus said and did. They were connected by Jesus and by Mark to the past and the future. Let’s look at three of those trails laid out for us as they observe the Passover meal recast into the Lord’s Supper.
Pray
12 And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 13 And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” 16 And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. 17 And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18 And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” 19 They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” 20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. 21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” 22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
The passage opens with plans on how and where to prepare for passover. Jesus gave them a path to follow. “Take the road to Jerusalem, find the man carrying a water jar, and follow him home. Then ask the master of the house for a room.”
They did as He asked, and as a result, they were prepared for the feast in the right place.
Let’s follow the path He has laid out for us.
Following the water that turns into wine.
Following the water that turns into wine.
His Ministry.
His Ministry.
> Disciples followed the path to Jerusalem, and followed the servant to the home.
> We can see that Jesus has called us to follow Him as He showed us in His ministry
> Jesus’ ministry started with turning water into wine.
> Read John 2:1-11 ~Jesus provided the needed missing component, ~Jesus turned the ceremonial purification into celebration.
> Here, they follow water into the meal where wine is ’turned into blood’. Not physically, but representatively.
> The ministry of Jesus entirely hinged on His completing the task. Healing, casting out demons, teaching, training - all for nothing if the message of Jesus wasn’t followed by His death and resurrection.
> John rightly identified Jesus in John 1:29 “29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
> We can imitate Jesus in all areas, but if we don’t bring people to a crisis of the cross, are work has likewise come to nothing.
Following Jesus‘s sacrifice to the cross.
Following Jesus‘s sacrifice to the cross.
His Misery.
His Misery.
> Jesus invited His followers into His sacrifice.
22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.
> The passover meal as a picture of redemption.
The blood of the lamb
eagerness and expectation of escape from slavery
The mark of the lamb meant safety from judgement
Jesus affirmed all the meaning of that meal, and added that His sacrifice would come to give substance to that meaning.
> Will we stay in our sin, or find freedom in Jesus?
> Illustration: Brexit. Remain or Leave.
> The disciples had an opportunity to remain or leave, and so do we. We’ll talk next week more about that.
> This week, we see one who would take no part in Jesus’ misery - His vote was a resounding leave! Judas’ cry - to meld together a Brexit phrase and the cry of American revolutionary Patrick Henry, “Let me leave, or give me death.”
> Jesus illuminated the starkness of Passover. It’s not some lamb, It’s not someone else's judgement. “This is MY body…, this is MY blood.” Redemption comes at that price.
> Judas as a picture of remaining in sin.
> If we are to follow Jesus, we must follow Him to the cross, or else we are wandering and lost.
> Let me pull a little more from Patrick Henry. If you have the chance, look up and read the full speech given On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry delivered this rousing speech to the Virginia House of Burgesses. The last paragraph is but the crescendo. As I read it, I couldn’t help but think of this in the context not of the American Revolution, but of our revolution from sin. Will we stay in our sin, or leave by the power of Jesus?
There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged. Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, peace, peace, but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
Would we desire liberty from sin so hotly and earnestly? Do we not know that we must flee from it, and find safety only in Jesus offering of body and blood? We can only obtain liberty from sin by His death.
But there IS victory! There IS liberty! And Jesus knew His death could not hold Him. All creation was made by Him and for Him.
11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Following Jesus victory to the wedding feast.
Following Jesus victory to the wedding feast.
His Mastery.
His Mastery.
> Jesus mastered death. So participating in the Lord’s Supper invites us to consider our place with Him.
> Just like His began His ministry - at a wedding feast - so it shall end.
6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” 10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
> It begins with bitter wine - the wine of death and sacrifice
> But it ends with the BEST wine! Of celebrating with the master of the feast.
> Jesus sat with His disciples, knowing His death was eminent. But His eyes were already on a greater table!
25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
Brothers and sisters, do you not know that those who belong to the Lord will eat and laugh with Jesus? This ceremony - the Lord’s Supper - drives us to look back at that promise of old, to look in at our heart to leave sin, and look forward for the rejoicing before the risen and reigning Lord Jesus. I pray your heart reflects on these things. Taking it in a worthy manner must include some reflection and profound gratitude. But joy is not out of place.
Pray
I invite you to come and take the elements this morning. We will take them together when we’ve returned.
Invite Dale and Doug up
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Doug Pray
25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Dale Pray