Maundy Thursday
There are moments in life that we will never forget. I will always remember the time I declared Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I shall always the remember the day I met Barbie and the day we married. I remember the times our sons were born. There are other moments that become emblazoned on our memories too: these do-you-remember-where-you-were-when-that-happened- moment? If you're old enough when JFK was assassinated; or on 911 when the Twin Towers were attacked.
When Jesus breaks bread at what has become known as the Last Supper it is such a moment! Except that the disciples were probably not that aware. It only took a moment. A moment when heaven began to mourn in anticipation of what was to come.
Luke 22:19: And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."
A simple act, lasting now more that a few seconds. Missed if you were not paying attention.
It's the same with the cup of the new covenant, except they were then wondering who the betrayer was, not the significance of the symbolism (Luke 22:20-21).
Some moments lead to lasting memories. Some moments lead to eternal significance. The crucifixion and death of Jesus is a moment that permeates eternity. Within that there are three moments I want to look at that reverberate through eternity for they are eternal truths. I see them as three things that Jesus carries:
He Carried His Own Cross:
John 19:16-17: [16] Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. [17] Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).
Jesus carried a cross that was made for Him. Years before, possibly 60 years before, a seed was planted. It grew in seasons of rain and drought. Pushing its way through the soil, a tender shoot breaking through into daylight, growing stronger each year. Climbed on by children, shaded under by weary people, but each year growing stronger until it is cut down for its cruel purpose.
That seed was planned and planted from God's heart. It was most likely a pine tree but no one is really sure.(http://www.thecompassnews.org/2015/09/what-wood-was-christs-cross-made-from/)
My friends Jesus carried the cross designed and fashioned for Him. He did not carry your cross. He calls you to carry your cross and follow Him (Luke 14:27).
Oh, it's an unjust cross. He had done no wrong. There was no charge that stood against Him. He carried His cross though.
The cross that is the fulcrum of time and eternity.
He Carried Our Shame:
Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:10: This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
See also:
1 John 2:2: He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
What does this really mean? We have to go back into the symbolism of the law. There was a scape goat. The people would have to come and lay their hands on the head of the scape goat for their sins. Then that animal was cast out from amongst them because it has "become sin," making "atonement," (Lev. 16: 8-10).
Jesus, having committed no sin, was "made sin," for us (2 Cor. 5:21). He is not sinner, but all the sin of the world, past present and future, was laid on Him. Then He was cast out of God's presence, just like the scape goat.
We need to see the symbolism of the lamb, that was sacrificed for the sins of the people to make "atonement" for sin (Lev. 5:6).
Atonement means to make right a wrong! Jesus becomes the one who is making right the wrong of our shame. He was beaten, whipped, humiliated, stripped naked on the cross, so that you and I may be forgiven!
He carried your shame then. He still does today. This is why His name is a swear word amongst some, vilified by others, but His name is precious to us for we know what our shame did to Him!
He Carried Joy:
In the midst of all of this Jesus carries a joy that cannot be fathomed by you and I.
In the middle of torture, anguish and again, as the cross is raised and dropped into its socket, Jesus peaks into eternity. He sees beyond the crowds, the weeping family, the scattered disciples, and sees you!
You outweighed the shame of the cross!
Hebrews 12:2: [Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
You and I are the joy best before Him. He has scorned the shame that was yours, cancelled it out on the cross, and looks at you with joy.
If you know Him you now have the potential of living free from sins punishment.
You now have the possibility of fullness of life.
You know have the power of a Spirit-filled life.
You now have the prowess of a child of God.
You now have the position of a joint heir with Jesus.
You now are the people of God.
That brought Jesus joy that He carried on the cross and He carries now.
Communion/prayer time
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