A blessed Maundy Thursday to all!

As the Scriptural accounts of Jesus’ journey today are divided into two sections, one set during the day and one at night, I’ve likewise divided today’s message in half. This is “Part One,” with “Part Two” to follow.

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Mark writes:

“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?’ 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, 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?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.’ And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.”  (Mark 14:12-16, ESV)

Matthew writes:

“Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?’ He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’’ And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.” (Matthew 26:17-19, ESV)

Luke writes:

“Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it.’ They said to him, ‘Where will you have us prepare it?’ He said to them, ‘Behold, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters and tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ And he will show you a large upper room furnished; prepare it there.’And they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.” (Luke 22:7-13, ESV)

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Throughout the Gospels, Jesus states “My hour has not yet come,” (Jn. 2:4), and “My time has not yet come,” (Jn. 7:6, 8). 

Even the demons that Jesus expels cry out “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” (Mt. 8:29) 

Yet here, today, Jesus tells His disciples “My time is at hand.” It is as if He says to them "You have been waiting, and I tell you that it is today in which the things I spoke of will come to fruition. You will not believe that they are happening. You will hide yourselves with fear and doubt will assail you. You will not understand until all has come to pass."

These passages point towards tonight’s events. Towards Jesus’ discussions in the upper room. Towards the institution of the Lord’s Supper. Towards Jesus’ prayers in Gethsemane, and His betrayal at Judas’ hands. 

As we consider the works and words of Christ for us today, let us “prepare the room” so that we can listen fully to His words and fully comprehend His actions tonight.

In Christ’s Peace,

Pastor Singer ☩