The Daily Messages of Holy Week:

Thursday’s Last Supper.

Fifth Sunday in Lent

Sunday March 25, 2007

Sermon Notes, Longer Home Study Version

Mark 14:12-26 NRSV

¹²On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?”  ¹³So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, ¹⁴and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’  ¹⁵He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready.  Make preparations for us there.” ¹⁶So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.

¹⁷When it was evening, he came with the twelve.  ¹⁸And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” ¹⁹They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, “Surely, not I?”  ²⁰He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me.  ²¹For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!  It would have been better for that one not to have been born.”

²²While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” ²³Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it.  ²⁴He said to them, “This is my blood of the^£ covenant, which is poured out for many.  ²⁵Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”   ²⁶When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

A.  Introduction

                        1.  Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”

                                                a.  Art historians tell us that it took Leonardo da Vinci ten years to complete his famous painting THE LAST SUPPER.  Numerous times da Vinci painted over and re-did parts of his painting.  The face or the angle of an arm was not correct.  He wanted to get everything just right, especially the face of Jesus.

                                                b.  This morning in our Lenten study, we are looking at the events that took place on Thursday of Holy Week.  It might not take ten years for a pastor to speak on this, but it would take a good ten hours to cover all the various events of this day!

                        2.  The events of Holy Thursday

                                                a.  On Thursday the chief priests and teachers of the Law plot against Jesus.  Judas agrees to betray Jesus.  A woman anoints Jesus’ head with expensive perfume.  On this day, Jesus and the disciples have a meal together.  The first three Gospels tell us that it was a Passover Meal.  Jesus washes the disciples’ feet.  They sing a hymn.  Christ and His disciples go out to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray.  Judas betrays Jesus.  Trying to defend Jesus, Peter swings his sword and cuts off a man’s ear.  Jesus heals the man.  Despite this sign, the Temple authorities arrest the Lord, and take Him in chains to the High Priest’s house.  Jesus is harshly questioned and treated.  They spit on Jesus, slap and beat Him.  Peter under questioning denies Jesus.  Then on Friday morning the chief priests and teachers of the Law take Jesus in chains to see the Roman governor, Pilate.

                                                b.  So this morning, I have chosen not to cover everything that happened on Thursday, but to say some specific things about the Lord ’s Supper.  I believe there are three important things to remember concerning this “last meal” that Jesus had with His disciples.

B.  Sharing a meal often has special meaning.

                        1.  Asking Grace!

                                                a.  Pastor Ted had been dating Grace for over a year.  Grace a college student, lived at home with her parents.  Needless to say the parson was often in their home.  Pastor Ted frequently had meals there, and he joined the family for every Holiday celebration.  It was Thanksgiving time and Pastor Ted was there at the table ready for some turkey.  Grace’s father said, “Reverend, please do us the honor of saying the prayer.”  Little sister Amy was not paying attention and as usual was talking Pastor Ted’s ear off.  The reverend looked over at the child and said, “Amy, please be quiet.  I’m about to ask grace.”  Amy smiled and replied, “It’s about time you two got married!  Tell Grace I’m big enough to be her Maid of Honor and not just a flower girl.”

                                                b.  Now that was a memorable meal together!  Of course, any time we gather with family and friends there is the possibility of something happening.  And every fellowship gathering around the meal table has special meaning.

2.  Sunday School Class Explains Easter

                                                a.  The Sunday School teacher asked the boys and girls to write about Easter.  Billy wrote:  “On Easter you get up, find eggs, eat chocolate candy, go to Church, remember that Jesus got back alive, go home, and have a big meal together to remember all this stuff about Easter.”

                                                b.  We, also, acknowledge that sometimes our meals together have important meaning because of the event we gather to remember or celebrate.    Religious and secular Holidays like Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and Independence Day have special meaning for us.  Likewise we gather to eat and celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings.

                        3.  Jesus shared a special meal with His disciples

                                                a.  Jesus and His followers gathered for a special meal together.  It was special, because the first three Gospels tell us that it was for the Jewish holy day of Passover that they gathered.  Passover was one of the three great festivals of the Hebrews.  It celebrated the Jews escape from slavery in Egypt.  Remember, God sent Moses to free the Hebrews.  However, the Egyptian King (or Pharaoh) would not listen.  So God worked signs and wonders to persuade Pharaoh to let the Hebrews go.  At first the signs were not so devastating, but the leaders of Egypt just would not listen.  So finally God sent the Angel of Death to kill the firstborn in all the land of Egypt.  Then each Hebrew family was told to sacrifice a lamb and smear its blood on their doorpost.  The Angel of Death would see this and “pass over” that house.  After this the Pharaoh let the Hebrews go.

                                                b.  This Last Supper that Jesus had with His disciples took on additional meaning, because of the events that followed.  Indeed, as we will discuss in the next point, The Last Supper has great meaning.

C.  The Last Supper has great meaning.

                        1.  Lamb Saved His Life!

                                                a.  In Germany there is a Church sanctuary with an interesting memorial plaque.  The plaque has a lamb etched in the stone.  When some workmen were putting the roof of this building one of the men fell to the ground.  His companions hastened down expecting to find him dead.  However, he was unhurt.  A lamb was grazing below and the man fell on it cushioning his fall, but crushing and killing the lamb.  The worker was so grateful for the lamb’s sacrifice that he made an image of the lamb in stone and placed it on the sanctuary.

                                                b.  During Holy Week we remember the Lamb of God, who took our sins upon Himself and died to save us.  And specifically the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper reminds us of Jesus’ sacrifice.

                        2.  Holy Thursday Scripture and Passover

                                                a.  The first three Gospels say that the Last Supper was a Passover meal.  On the other hand, the Gospel of John is explicit in stating that the crucifixion occurred on the “Day of Preparation” before the Passover, while the lambs were being slaughtered for the Feast.  John states that in the year of Jesus’ death the Passover fell not on Friday, but on the Sabbath (Saturday). (See:  John 18:28, 19:14 or 19:31)  In this case, by John’s remembrances, the Last Supper appears not to be a Passover meal.  Jesus was dying on the cross at the same time the Passover lambs were being slaughtered.  [Scholars tell us, as individual heads of households were expected to each sacrifice a lamb that up to 250,000 lambs were slain on the Day of Preparation.]  John and Paul both agree with this timing and associate Jesus’ sacrifice with the sacrifice of the paschal lambs on the “Preparation Day” before the Passover. (See I Corinthians 5:7)

                                                b.  So the Gospels do not seem to agree on the chronology of Holy Week.  This might be because it was a remembrance of a traumatic, stress filled event, and some of the witnesses just simply got mixed up.  On the other hand, there is a different possibility.  To prepare for the meal, Jesus sends two of His disciples into the city.  There they will meet a man carrying water and should follow him.  This is interesting.  In the culture of that time carrying water was typically a woman’s work.  So was this some statement of equality or an easy to spot sign?  There is another possibility:  The man did not have a wife or daughter to carry the water.  Perhaps some scholars suggest, the man was an Essene monk, and the place where the Last Supper was held was an Essene Monastery.  [Remember it was the Essenes who withdrew to a monastic community by the Dead Sea, and it was their collection of scrolls that are known as the Dead Sea Scrolls.]  Jesus disagreed with the Essenes on certain theological issues, but may have had friends who were Essenes.  And the Essenes celebrated Passover at a different time than the Priests of the Temple in Jerusalem.  Jesus knew He would be dead by the Temple Passover date, so He borrowed the Essenes’ facilities, their religious calendar, and celebrated Passover on Thursday night.  My conclusion is that all the Gospel accounts are accurate and correct.  Jesus celebrated a Passover meal, and He died while Passover lambs were being slaughtered.  He is the Paschal Lamb, who takes away the sins of the whole world.

                        3.  Holy Thursday Scripture and the Lord’s Supper

                                                a.  Those familiar with the order of worship for Passover remember that toward the end there is a last eating of the bread and a final cup of wine.  Then there is a closing hymn.  This is what Mark 14:22-26 refers to.  Jesus modified the Passover meal in the following ways:  During the last eating of the bread He said, “Take it; this is my body.  This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” (See:  Mark 14:22 NIV & Luke 22:19 NIV)  Then during the last drinking of the cup of wine, He said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (I Corinthians 11:25 NIV)

                                                b.  Jesus was, of course, using these two ordinary food items as symbols of His sacrifice.  In the Old Covenant God saved the Hebrew children one time through the sacrifice of a lamb.  In the New Covenant, Jesus saves all who will receive the gift for all time!  Faith Covenants have to do with an agreement between God and humankind.  In the Old Covenant it was an agreement between God and the Hebrew people.  The Old Covenant was based upon the Laws of God and was dependent upon the people of Israel keeping the Law.  If the Law was broken, the Covenant was broken.  In the Old covenant, God is The Judge.  However, there is a problem.  No one can perfectly keep the Law.  And by the Old Covenant no one deserves to be in God’s presence here or in the hereafter.

                                                c.  Jesus gives us a New Covenant.  A Covenant not dependent upon the Law, but upon “His blood shed for us.”  The New Covenant is dependant upon LOVE!  God in Jesus does for us what we cannot do for ourselves.  Jesus out of love for us, freely takes upon Himself our sins, and graciously hands us His righteousness.  By His merit, and His merit alone, we are worthy to stand before God.  In the New Covenant all people are invited.  All we have to do is accept the gift!

D.  The Lord’s Supper is a meal to which you are invited!

                        1.  Barkley the dog

                                                a.  At the O’Neal household we have a dog and a cat.  Barkley is the dog.  He is a twenty pound terrier mix.  Barkley loves to be next to me.  He likes to be on my lap when I sit in a chair or to lie next to me in the bed.  He loves his head and cheeks petted.  And he really likes tummy rubs.  Barkley simply cannot fathom the idea that I and the rest of the family do not love him.  Indeed if I push him away he starts to play:  Barking and nipping, but never too hard.  He just can’t imagine that we do not want him next to us.  So if we push him away, in his mind it cannot be any kind of rejection, it must be that we want to play!

                                                b.  Barkley has no doubt that I love him.  Wouldn’t it be nice if we had the same confidence concerning our Master!  For the fact is that Jesus does love you, and He always will love you.  He will not push you away, because He loves you and wants to spend time with you.

                        2.  The Presbyterians and George Washington

                                                a.  During the Revolutionary War at one point General George Washington and his troops were camped near Morristown, New Jersey.  In a lull in the fighting, many of Washington’s men desired to go to Church and have Communion.  As they were pinned down by the British, the only option was a Presbyterian Church nearby.  Washington a few days before Sunday called on the Church’s pastor, the Reverend Doctor Jones.  The General said, “Doctor, I understand that the Lord’s Supper is to be celebrated with you next Sunday; I would learn if it accords with the cannons of your church to admit communicants of another denomination?”  The Pastor replied, “Most certainly; ours is not the Presbyterian table, General, but the Lord’s Table; and hence we give the Lord’s invitation to all his followers, of whatever name.”

                                                b.  We United Methodists and several other denominations have long held that it is the Lord’s Table and not our Table.  John Wesley as a young pastor did not feel that way.  However, after his own “heart warming” experience he came to understand how much Jesus loves each and every one of us.  He came to understand that Holy Communion was not only a “confirming ordinance” but a “converting ordinance.”  From then on Wesley opened Communion up to whoever felt Jesus’ invitation.  And Wesley witnessed miraculous things!  The worst sinners imaginable came forward, took Communion, repented of their sins, and began to lead new lives!  The Lord’s Supper is a special time with Jesus.  It is a life changing meal for all sinners.  So the Lord welcomes not only sinners who have been forgiven, but all who want to come and talk with Him.  As Charles Wesley wrote:  “Come, sinners to the Gospel feast, let every soul be Jesus’ guest.  Ye need not one be left behind, for God hath bid all humankind.” (Hymn # 339 & Hymn #616)

                        3.  Holy Scripture and God’s love

                                    a.  The promises of God back this up:  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV)  “God our Savior, wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (I Timothy 2:3-4 NIV)  “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.” (II Corinthians 5:19 NIV)  God loves you and wants to be in relationship with you.

                                                b.  And the words and life of Jesus backs this up.  He never asked would be followers to fill out forms or pass some doctrinal test.  He just said, “Follow Me.” (Matthew 4:19 RSV, NRSV, NIV & Mark 1:17 RSV, NRSV, NIV)  He ate with and talked to the “least and lowest” of His society.  He visited with foreigners, and pronounced that Gentiles were also welcome at God’s banquet table in Heaven.  That was one of the Pharisees’ complaints:  “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:2 NIV)  And these verses just scratch the surface.

                                                c.  Jesus wants to spend time with you and He especially invites you to His Table:  “Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20 NIV)  You are invited!

E.  Conclusion: Recap

                        1.  Sharing a meal often has special meaning.

                        2.  The Last Supper has great meaning.

                        3.  The Lord’s Supper is a meal to which you are invited!

Mark 14:12-26 NRSV

¹²On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?”  ¹³So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, ¹⁴and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’  ¹⁵He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready.  Make preparations for us there.” ¹⁶So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.

¹⁷When it was evening, he came with the twelve.  ¹⁸And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” ¹⁹They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, “Surely, not I?”  ²⁰He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me.  ²¹For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!  It would have been better for that one not to have been born.”

²²While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” ²³Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it.  ²⁴He said to them, “This is my blood of the^£ covenant, which is poured out for many.  ²⁵Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”  ²⁶When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

(^£Other ancient authorities add the word “NEW”.)

The Daily Messages of Holy Week:

Thursday’s Last Supper.

1.  Sharing a meal often has special meaning.

2.  The Last Supper has great meaning.

 3.  The Lord’s Supper is a meal to which you are invited!

The Daily Messages of Holy Week:

Thursday’s Last Supper.

Fifth Sunday in Lent

Sermon Notes, Longer Home Study Version

March 25, 2007

Rev. Jim O’Neal, Senior Pastor

Sun Lakes United Methodist Church

9248 E. Riggs Road, Sun Lakes, Arizona 85248

(480) 895-8766

Mark 14:12-26 NRSV

¹²On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?”  ¹³So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, ¹⁴and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’  ¹⁵He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready.  Make preparations for us there.” ¹⁶So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.

¹⁷When it was evening, he came with the twelve.  ¹⁸And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” ¹⁹They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, “Surely, not I?”  ²⁰He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me.  ²¹For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!  It would have been better for that one not to have been born.”

²²While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” ²³Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it.  ²⁴He said to them, “This is my blood of the^£ covenant, which is poured out for many.  ²⁵Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”   ²⁶When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

A.  Introduction

                   1.  Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”

                                      a.  Art historians tell us that it took Leonardo da Vinci ten years to complete his famous painting THE LAST SUPPER.  Numerous times da Vinci painted over and re-did parts of his painting.  The face or the angle of an arm was not correct.  He wanted to get everything just right, especially the face of Jesus.

                                      b.  This morning in our Lenten study, we are looking at the events that took place on Thursday of Holy Week.  It might not take ten years for a pastor to speak on this, but it would take a good ten hours to cover all the various events of this day!

                   2.  The events of Holy Thursday

                                      a.  On Thursday the chief priests and teachers of the Law plot against Jesus.  Judas agrees to betray Jesus.  A woman anoints Jesus’ head with expensive perfume.  On this day, Jesus and the disciples have a meal together.  The first three Gospels tell us that it was a Passover Meal.  Jesus washes the disciples’ feet.  They sing a hymn.  Christ and His disciples go out to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray.  Judas betrays Jesus.  Trying to defend Jesus, Peter swings his sword and cuts off a man’s ear.  Jesus heals the man.  Despite this sign, the Temple authorities arrest the Lord, and take Him in chains to the High Priest’s house.  Jesus is harshly questioned and treated.  They spit on Jesus, slap and beat Him.  Peter under questioning denies Jesus.  Then on Friday morning the chief priests and teachers of the Law take Jesus in chains to see the Roman governor, Pilate.

                                      b.  So this morning, I have chosen not to cover everything that happened on Thursday, but to say some specific things about the Lord ’s Supper.  I believe there are three important things to remember concerning this “last meal” that Jesus had with His disciples.

B.  Sharing a meal often has special meaning.

                   1.  Asking Grace!

                                      a.  Pastor Ted had been dating Grace for over a year.  Grace a college student, lived at home with her parents.  Needless to say the parson was often in their home.  Pastor Ted frequently had meals there, and he joined the family for every Holiday celebration.  It was Thanksgiving time and Pastor Ted was there at the table ready for some turkey.  Grace’s father said, “Reverend, please do us the honor of saying the prayer.”  Little sister Amy was not paying attention and as usual was talking Pastor Ted’s ear off.  The reverend looked over at the child and said, “Amy, please be quiet.  I’m about to ask grace.”  Amy smiled and replied, “It’s about time you two got married!  Tell Grace I’m big enough to be her Maid of Honor and not just a flower girl.”

                                      b.  Now that was a memorable meal together!  Of course, any time we gather with family and friends there is the possibility of something happening.  And every fellowship gathering around the meal table has special meaning.

2.  Sunday School Class Explains Easter

                                      a.  The Sunday School teacher asked the boys and girls to write about Easter.  Billy wrote:  “On Easter you get up, find eggs, eat chocolate candy, go to Church, remember that Jesus got back alive, go home, and have a big meal together to remember all this stuff about Easter.”

                                      b.  We, also, acknowledge that sometimes our meals together have important meaning because of the event we gather to remember or celebrate.    Religious and secular Holidays like Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and Independence Day have special meaning for us.  Likewise we gather to eat and celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings.

                   3.  Jesus shared a special meal with His disciples

                                      a.  Jesus and His followers gathered for a special meal together.  It was special, because the first three Gospels tell us that it was for the Jewish holy day of Passover that they gathered.  Passover was one of the three great festivals of the Hebrews.  It celebrated the Jews escape from slavery in Egypt.  Remember, God sent Moses to free the Hebrews.  However, the Egyptian King (or Pharaoh) would not listen.  So God worked signs and wonders to persuade Pharaoh to let the Hebrews go.  At first the signs were not so devastating, but the leaders of Egypt just would not listen.  So finally God sent the Angel of Death to kill the firstborn in all the land of Egypt.  Then each Hebrew family was told to sacrifice a lamb and smear its blood on their doorpost.  The Angel of Death would see this and “pass over” that house.  After this the Pharaoh let the Hebrews go.

                                      b.  This Last Supper that Jesus had with His disciples took on additional meaning, because of the events that followed.  Indeed, as we will discuss in the next point, The Last Supper has great meaning.

C.  The Last Supper has great meaning.

                   1.  Lamb Saved His Life!

                                      a.  In Germany there is a Church sanctuary with an interesting memorial plaque.  The plaque has a lamb etched in the stone.  When some workmen were putting the roof of this building one of the men fell to the ground.  His companions hastened down expecting to find him dead.  However, he was unhurt.  A lamb was grazing below and the man fell on it cushioning his fall, but crushing and killing the lamb.  The worker was so grateful for the lamb’s sacrifice that he made an image of the lamb in stone and placed it on the sanctuary.

                                      b.  During Holy Week we remember the Lamb of God, who took our sins upon Himself and died to save us.  And specifically the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper reminds us of Jesus’ sacrifice.

                    2.  Holy Thursday Scripture and Passover

                                      a.  The first three Gospels say that the Last Supper was a Passover meal.  On the other hand, the Gospel of John is explicit in stating that the crucifixion occurred on the “Day of Preparation” before the Passover, while the lambs were being slaughtered for the Feast.  John states that in the year of Jesus’ death the Passover fell not on Friday, but on the Sabbath (Saturday). (See:  John 18:28, 19:14 or 19:31)  In this case, by John’s remembrances, the Last Supper appears not to be a Passover meal.  Jesus was dying on the cross at the same time the Passover lambs were being slaughtered.  [Scholars tell us, as individual heads of households were expected to each sacrifice a lamb that up to 250,000 lambs were slain on the Day of Preparation.]  John and Paul both agree with this timing and associate Jesus’ sacrifice with the sacrifice of the paschal lambs on the “Preparation Day” before the Passover. (See I Corinthians 5:7)

                                      b.  So the Gospels do not seem to agree on the chronology of Holy Week.  This might be because it was a remembrance of a traumatic, stress filled event, and some of the witnesses just simply got mixed up.  On the other hand, there is a different possibility.  To prepare for the meal, Jesus sends two of His disciples into the city.  There they will meet a man carrying water and should follow him.  This is interesting.  In the culture of that time carrying water was typically a woman’s work.  So was this some statement of equality or an easy to spot sign?  There is another possibility:  The man did not have a wife or daughter to carry the water.  Perhaps some scholars suggest, the man was an Essene monk, and the place where the Last Supper was held was an Essene Monastery.  [Remember it was the Essenes who withdrew to a monastic community by the Dead Sea, and it was their collection of scrolls that are known as the Dead Sea Scrolls.]  Jesus disagreed with the Essenes on certain theological issues, but may have had friends who were Essenes.  And the Essenes celebrated Passover at a different time than the Priests of the Temple in Jerusalem.  Jesus knew He would be dead by the Temple Passover date, so He borrowed the Essenes’ facilities, their religious calendar, and celebrated Passover on Thursday night.  My conclusion is that all the Gospel accounts are accurate and correct.  Jesus celebrated a Passover meal, and He died while Passover lambs were being slaughtered.  He is the Paschal Lamb, who takes away the sins of the whole world.

                   3.  Holy Thursday Scripture and the Lord’s Supper

                                      a.  Those familiar with the order of worship for Passover remember that toward the end there is a last eating of the bread and a final cup of wine.  Then there is a closing hymn.  This is what Mark 14:22-26 refers to.  Jesus modified the Passover meal in the following ways:  During the last eating of the bread He said, “Take it; this is my body.  This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” (See:  Mark 14:22 NIV & Luke 22:19 NIV)  Then during the last drinking of the cup of wine, He said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (I Corinthians 11:25 NIV)

                                      b.  Jesus was, of course, using these two ordinary food items as symbols of His sacrifice.  In the Old Covenant God saved the Hebrew children one time through the sacrifice of a lamb.  In the New Covenant, Jesus saves all who will receive the gift for all time!  Faith Covenants have to do with an agreement between God and humankind.  In the Old Covenant it was an agreement between God and the Hebrew people.  The Old Covenant was based upon the Laws of God and was dependent upon the people of Israel keeping the Law.  If the Law was broken, the Covenant was broken.  In the Old covenant, God is The Judge.  However, there is a problem.  No one can perfectly keep the Law.  And by the Old Covenant no one deserves to be in God’s presence here or in the hereafter.

                                      c.  Jesus gives us a New Covenant.  A Covenant not dependent upon the Law, but upon “His blood shed for us.”  The New Covenant is dependant upon LOVE!  God in Jesus does for us what we cannot do for ourselves.  Jesus out of love for us, freely takes upon Himself our sins, and graciously hands us His righteousness.  By His merit, and His merit alone, we are worthy to stand before God.  In the New Covenant all people are invited.  All we have to do is accept the gift!

D.  The Lord’s Supper is a meal to which you are invited!

                   1.  Barkley the dog

                                      a.  At the O’Neal household we have a dog and a cat.  Barkley is the dog.  He is a twenty pound terrier mix.  Barkley loves to be next to me.  He likes to be on my lap when I sit in a chair or to lie next to me in the bed.  He loves his head and cheeks petted.  And he really likes tummy rubs.  Barkley simply cannot fathom the idea that I and the rest of the family do not love him.  Indeed if I push him away he starts to play:  Barking and nipping, but never too hard.  He just can’t imagine that we do not want him next to us.  So if we push him away, in his mind it cannot be any kind of rejection, it must be that we want to play!

                                      b.  Barkley has no doubt that I love him.  Wouldn’t it be nice if we had the same confidence concerning our Master!  For the fact is that Jesus does love you, and He always will love you.  He will not push you away, because He loves you and wants to spend time with you.

                   2.  The Presbyterians and George Washington

                                      a.  During the Revolutionary War at one point General George Washington and his troops were camped near Morristown, New Jersey.  In a lull in the fighting, many of Washington’s men desired to go to Church and have Communion.  As they were pinned down by the British, the only option was a Presbyterian Church nearby.  Washington a few days before Sunday called on the Church’s pastor, the Reverend Doctor Jones.  The General said, “Doctor, I understand that the Lord’s Supper is to be celebrated with you next Sunday; I would learn if it accords with the cannons of your church to admit communicants of another denomination?”  The Pastor replied, “Most certainly; ours is not the Presbyterian table, General, but the Lord’s Table; and hence we give the Lord’s invitation to all his followers, of whatever name.”

                                      b.  We United Methodists and several other denominations have long held that it is the Lord’s Table and not our Table.  John Wesley as a young pastor did not feel that way.  However, after his own “heart warming” experience he came to understand how much Jesus loves each and every one of us.  He came to understand that Holy Communion was not only a “confirming ordinance” but a “converting ordinance.”  From then on Wesley opened Communion up to whoever felt Jesus’ invitation.  And Wesley witnessed miraculous things!  The worst sinners imaginable came forward, took Communion, repented of their sins, and began to lead new lives!  The Lord’s Supper is a special time with Jesus.  It is a life changing meal for all sinners.  So the Lord welcomes not only sinners who have been forgiven, but all who want to come and talk with Him.  As Charles Wesley wrote:  “Come, sinners to the Gospel feast, let every soul be Jesus’ guest.  Ye need not one be left behind, for God hath bid all humankind.” (Hymn # 339 & Hymn #616)

                   3.  Holy Scripture and God’s love

                             a.  The promises of God back this up:  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV)  “God our Savior, wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (I Timothy 2:3-4 NIV)  “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them.” (II Corinthians 5:19 NIV)  God loves you and wants to be in relationship with you.

                                      b.  And the words and life of Jesus backs this up.  He never asked would be followers to fill out forms or pass some doctrinal test.  He just said, “Follow Me.” (Matthew 4:19 RSV, NRSV, NIV & Mark 1:17 RSV, NRSV, NIV)  He ate with and talked to the “least and lowest” of His society.  He visited with foreigners, and pronounced that Gentiles were also welcome at God’s banquet table in Heaven.  That was one of the Pharisees’ complaints:  “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:2 NIV)  And these verses just scratch the surface.

c.  Jesus wants to spend time with you and He especially invites you to His Table:  “Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20 NIV)  You are invited!

E.  Conclusion: Recap

                   1.  Sharing a meal often has special meaning.

                   2.  The Last Supper has great meaning.

                   3.  The Lord’s Supper is a meal to which you are invited! 

Mark 14:12-26 NRSV

¹²On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?”  ¹³So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, ¹⁴and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’  ¹⁵He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready.  Make preparations for us there.” ¹⁶So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal.

¹⁷When it was evening, he came with the twelve.  ¹⁸And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” ¹⁹They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, “Surely, not I?”  ²⁰He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me.  ²¹For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed!  It would have been better for that one not to have been born.”

²²While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” ²³Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it.  ²⁴He said to them, “This is my blood of the^£ covenant, which is poured out for many.  ²⁵Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”  ²⁶When they had sung the hymn, they