Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Mark 14.14. In fact, the Lord still wanted to celebrate this last Passover with his own before fulfilling on the cross what it was the type of. And coincidentally, Jesus’ crucifixion took place that day, although the Jewish leaders sought to avoid it for fear of the crowds. But things happen when God wants them; men can only be the often unconscious instruments of the accomplishment of his will.
The disciples want to know where they can prepare what they need to eat the Passover. The Lord Jesus sends two of them to the city, giving them all the indications so that they will find what they need. “Go to the city,” he said to them; “And a man carrying a jug of water will come to meet you; Follow him. And wherever he goes, say to the master of the house, Where is the place where I will eat the Passover with my disciples? And he will show you a large furnished room, all ready; get us there what we need. And his disciples went and entered into the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover. For Jesus knew everything in advance; but he only uses his all-knowledge to accomplish the work which his Father had given him to do; that is why he never leaves his position of dependence and servant.
So when evening came, he sat down to table with the twelve; and as they were eating he said to them: “Verily I say to you that one of you who eats with me will deliver me”. The Lord Jesus purposely did not tell them which of them would deliver him up. “One of you,” he said, one of those who had persisted in following him, one of those who had been the objects of his care, one of those he had chosen. So he wants to search their hearts with this word.
And one after the other, they ask him, “Is this me? “They distrust themselves and endure this ordeal in a good spirit, admitting that although they had no desire to, they were able to perform such an act. We can never be sure that we will never do this or that wrong; but if we know we can, and we seek help in the Lord because we are for the benefit of his intercession, he takes care of his people so that they do not succumb to temptation. Jesus answered them, “It is one of the twelve who is dipping with me in the dish.”
This is why there are always two sides to be considered in the ways of God: first, the side of God who is above all and who makes everything work together for the accomplishment of his purposes; and then, the side of the responsibility of the man who must bear the consequences of his actions. This is shown by the passage on the action of dipping, as was the tradition in the East. Then the scriptures are fulfilled; and Judas will bear the consequences of his horrible sin. For men are guilty of the death of Christ, but the Lord God by that death fulfills his thoughts of grace towards all.
Thus, Jesus was going to accomplish on the cross, what the feast of the Passover represented. Indeed, it would no longer have its raison d’être; this is why, still at table, the Lord Jesus instituted the Holy Communion, this commemoration of his death, which all his redeemed have the privilege of taking during his absence. So, “While they were eating, Jesus took bread; and after giving thanks, he broke it, and gave it to them, saying, Take, this is my body. He then took a cup; and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the covenant, which is shed for many. Truly I tell you, I will never drink of the fruit of the vine again until that day when I drink it again in the kingdom of God. ”
For every believer has the privilege of remembering the Lord who died for him, waiting for the moment when we will see him and when we will behold him in his glory, like the lamb that was slain. But if the redeemed one has this favor, it is on condition that he shows himself, in his walk, consistent with the act he is performing. For, by taking the Last Supper, he proclaims that Jesus had to die to take away his sins; he cannot therefore tolerate sin in his life; because it would be a contradiction. And if by misfortune he happens to sin, he must confess it to God, with sorrow, in order to be raised up and be able to participate in this memorial which speaks as much of holiness as of the love of God and of his Son Jesus- Christ.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and put together for your better understanding.
- Divine friendship of Christ:
Jn 11.5, 35-36 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” Jn 13:23 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him; Jn 15.15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
- Christ’s divine Commandments:
Mt 28.20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jn 13.34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another; Jn 14.15, 21 “If you love me, keep my commands. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” Jn 15.10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love; Ac 10.42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead; 1 Jn 3.23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
Ultimately, if a believer does not judge himself, then his conscience hardens; and he can fall so badly that he takes on the character of a wicked man, forcing the Church to possibly exclude him. Unfortunately today a large number of Christians do not take the Last Supper, out of indifference or ignorance, or do not take it according to the Lord’s mind. And thus they deprive themselves of a great privilege, and above all, they deny the Lord what he asked of them in the evening that he was delivered. The new covenant is therefore for Israel, which had lived under a first covenant, broken by the infidelity of the people. So, instead of receiving the blessing, Israel was forsaken of God for a time, but God, who is faithful to his promises, wanted to bless his earthly people. Therefore he made a new covenant for him based on the blood of Christ, and under which God could bless him according to the promises made to the fathers and fulfill all that the prophets foretold concerning the reign of Christ. Our prayers support you all in your efforts to recognize and practice the Last Supper to proclaim that Jesus had to die to take away our sins.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all worship, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be glad to respond to your queries and comments if necessary, before sharing with you next week “Jesus in the temple at the age of twelve”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you profusely.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.