In our portrait of the person and work of Jesus Christ, we now highlight the
concluding events of Holy Week, in
which The Passion of Jesus Christ was
dramatically unveiled via betrayal, isolation, rejection, judgment,
humiliation, derision, chastisement, satanic attacks and death by crucifixion.
Today, we celebrate Maundy Thursday [pronounced mawn-dee], which
is also known as Covenant Thursday or Holy 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 be as
significant as Good Friday or
Resurrection Sunday, it is my view
that the occurrences of this particular day were not only extraordinary, they
were mission critical to the growth, development, affirmation and continuation
of the Christian faith.
Four 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.
Secondly, Jesus made the
solemn promise to send The Holy
Spirit (in His absence) to teach, direct, empower and comfort
believers. (John 15:1-11 –John 16:7-15) Thirdly, Jesus instituted The Lord’s Supper as an ongoing
commemoration of His atoning grace. Fourthly, Jesus prevailed victoriously over Satan in the Garden of Gethsemane.
(Matthew 26:36-46 – Mark 14:32-42 – Luke 22:39-46 – John 18:1)
Since Christ’s victory in the Garden of Gethsemane is
inextricably tied 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 and contrast of these Two Adams and these 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 Adam was
created in the image and likeness of God. Nevertheless, he had been
endowed with free will, and he made the deliberate choice to disobey the
Creator’s commands. (Genesis, chapters 2 and 3)
The First Adam fell from grace in the Garden of Eden, while The Second Adam became the very
embodiment of grace in the Garden of Gethsemane. (John 1:14) He alone had
sufficient love, authority and power to secure our complete redemption and 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 exclusively on Mt. Calvary. Indeed,
it was manifested clearly during those agonizing moments of kneeling surrender at Gethsemane.
Jesus was completely isolated from human support because His trusted companions
had fallen fast asleep. Yet He singlehandedly won ultimate victory (our victory) for all time and
eternity. Prayerfully consider the following passage:
Matthew 26:36-43 (NKJV)
Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly
sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” 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.” Then He came to the disciples and found
them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into
temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 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.” And He
came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.
It is intriguing that Dr. Luke, the disciple-physician,
recorded the medical results of Christ’s monumental spiritual struggle. “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 hematidrosis (also
called hematohidrosis). In
this condition, multiple blood vessels surrounding the sweat glands constricted
under great pressure, then dilated to the point of rupture, blending with the
sweat that flowed freely from his skin pores.
Nevertheless, Jesus Christ subdued His human fear and
flesh, crying out, “not My will, but
Yours, be done,” and He won absolute victory over Satan and sin.
And, He did so long before those sharp spikes were nailed painfully into His
hands and feet, or the soldier’s sword had brutally pierced His side. It
is this existential moment of Total Surrender
at Gethsemane that is the pivotal point of our vicarious victory. “I
have overcome the world,” declares Jesus! (John 16:33) The result is The
Word’s supreme declaration of spiritual dominion for every WINNER-BELIEVER: “Now
thanks be to GOD who always leads us to TRIUMPH IN CHRIST.” (II Corinthians
2:14)
Amen? Amen!!! Stay tuned…more to come
tomorrow.
Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please
(above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.
Maranatha!
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