THE PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST
(Part I)
The passion of Jesus Christ
is dramatically manifested via His betrayal, isolation, rejection, judgment,
humiliation, chastisement, satanic attacks and death by crucifixion. Today, we
celebrate MAUNDY THURSDAY [pronounced MAWN-dee], which is also known as HOLY
THURSDAY or COVENANT THURSDAY.
The term, “MAUNDY,” is
derived from a middle English word (maunde) and a Latin word (mandatum). As
such, it focuses on the MANDATE of Jesus Christ for all disciples 1) to
commemorate His death and suffering by partaking of the sacramental elements of
bread and wine, and 2) to wash one another’s feet as an act of brotherhood and
humility.
Although many Christians do
not regard MAUNDY THURSDAY to as significant as GOOD FRIDAY or RESURRECTION
DAY, it is my view that the occurrences of this day were profoundly
extraordinary and mission critical to the growth, development and continuation
of Christianity.
Three foundational reasons
undergird my personal perspective on MAUNDY THURSDAY. Firstly, JESUS shared one
of His most important Kingdom parables, THE PARABLE OF THE TRUE VINE that day,
and also made a solemn promise to send THE HOLY SPIRIT to teach, direct,
empower and comfort believers in His absence. (John 15:1-11 –John 16:7-15)
Secondly, JESUS INSTITUTED THE LORD’S SUPPER as the ongoing commemoration of
His grace and vicarious atonement. Thirdly, JESUS PREVAILED OVER SATAN IN THE
GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE. (Matthew 26:36-46 – Mark 14:32-42 – Luke 22:39-46 – John
18:1)
Because Christ’s victory in
the Garden of Gethsemane is inextricably connected to Adam’s fall in the Garden
of Eden, it is our primary focus for today. Indeed, our human history of
perennial struggle with Satan and sin can be accurately summarized via the
comparison of TWO ADAMS and TWO GARDENS. The Apostle Paul wrote, “THE FIRST MAN
ADAM became a living being,” and “THE LAST ADAM became a life-giving spirit.”
(I Corinthians 15:45) The original (first) Adam was created in the image and
likeness of God. Nevertheless, he had been endowed with FREE WILL and,
therefore, made a deliberate choice in Eden to disobey the Creator’s commands.
(Genesis, chapters 2 and 3)
Just as THE FIRST ADAM fell
from grace, THE SECOND ADAM (JESUS CHRIST) became the very embodiment of grace.
(John 1:14) He alone had sufficient love and power to secure full REDEMPTION
and complete RECONCILIATION (AT-ONE-MENT) with THE FATHER.
It is my contention that
Christ’s victory over the power, practice and penalty of sin did not occur ONLY
at Calvary. Rather, it transpired initially in agonizing moments of KNEELING
SURRENDER IN GETHSEMANE. It should be noted that Jesus Christ was completely
isolated from any and all human support, that is, His trusted companions (His
disciples) had fallen fast asleep. Yet He won the victory, OUR VICTORY, for all
time and eternity.
Please prayerfully consider
the following passage:
Matthew 26:36-43 (NKJV)
38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?
41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.
38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?
41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
43 And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.
Dr. Luke, the
physician-disciple, records the physical results of that monumental,
life-or-death struggle, of Jesus. “And being in agony, He prayed more
earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the
ground.” (Luke 22:44) So great was His spiritual, emotional and physical agony
that Jesus experienced a medical condition known as HEMATIDROSIS (also called
HEMATOHIDROSIS). In this extreme physical state, multiple blood vessels
surrounding the sweat glands constrict under intense pressure, then dilate to
the point of rupture, blending freely with ample sweat that secretes from the
skin. As previously highlighted in Dr. Luke’s description, “His sweat became
like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:44)
Nevertheless, as Jesus
Christ subdued His own flesh and fear, He cried out to the Father, “NOT MY
WILL, BUT YOURS, BE DONE,” thus sustaining absolute victory over Satan and sin.
(Luke 22:42) And He gained this victory long before the spikes penetrated His
hands and feet or the sword pierced His side. It is that existential moment of
TOTAL SURRENDER AT GETHSEMANE that is the pivotal point of our vicarious
victory. It is this moment that enables Jesus to affirm with absolute certainty,
“I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.” (John 16:33) So shall we! The result of Christ's
overcoming courage is a joyous and marvelous testimony that becomes the
present-day legacy of every WINNER-BELIEVER: “Now thanks be to GOD who always
LEADS US TO TRIUMPH IN CHRIST.” (II Corinthians 2:14)
The final scene of the
final act will produce the glorious declaration that WE WIN! Amen? IN CHRIST…WE
WIN! Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.
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