Holy Week 2023 - Maundy Thursday
Check out a great recap of Maundy Thursday during Jesus’ journey to the Cross.
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MATTHEW 26:26-30
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing, it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Bread and wine were two common items at Jewish dinner. But this was no ordinary dinner. This was the Passover meal and Jesus was sharing it with his disciples, his betrayer at the table. This was a meal rich with imagery of a past salvation and yet pointed to a newer and deeper one. The Passover meal commemorated the Exodus, God’s miraculous rescue of his people from Egypt. He delivered them out of slavery and into life and freedom. The Passover lamb was the spotless lamb that was sacrificed. This sacrificial blood “covered” the trusting and spared them from the judgment that God was unleashing on Egypt. By trusting in God’s provision and applying the blood over the doorpost of their homes, God’s judgment “passed over” them. The Hebrew people were spared and brought safely into God’s new reality for them. Jesus tells his disciples that this history was prophetic, pointing to a greater salvation, a new covenant. Jesus is the Lamb of God who would offer his body and blood to provide a covering for all who would trust Him. He would give his life to purchase our deliverance from the penalty and power of sin. This is so that we might no longer be condemned by it or controlled by it. When the Kingdom of God comes in its fullness, we will finally be free from all of its corruption.