Showing posts with label laatsteavondmaal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label laatsteavondmaal. Show all posts

Monday 25 March 2013

De zoon van David en de eerste dag van het Feest van de ongezuurde broden


Nederlands: De intocht van Jezus in Jeruzalem,...
Nederlands: De intocht van Jezus in Jeruzalem, Russische icoon] (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“13  Toen Jezus in de omgeving van Caesarea Filippi gekomen was, vroeg Hij zijn discipelen en zeide: Wie zeggen de mensen, dat de Zoon des mensen is? 14 En zij zeiden: Sommigen: Johannes de Doper; anderen: Elia; weer anderen: Jeremia, of een der profeten. 15 Hij zeide tot hen: Maar gij, wie zegt gij, dat Ik ben? 16 Simon Petrus antwoordde en zeide: Gij zijt de Christus, de Zoon van de levende God! 17 Jezus antwoordde en zeide: Zalig zijt gij, Simon Barjona, want vlees en bloed heeft u dat niet geopenbaard, maar mijn Vader, die in de hemelen is. 18 En Ik zeg u, dat gij Petrus zijt, en op deze petra zal Ik mijn gemeente bouwen en de poorten van het dodenrijk zullen haar niet overweldigen.  19 Ik zal u de sleutels geven van het Koninkrijk der hemelen, en wat gij op aarde binden zult, zal gebonden zijn in de hemelen, en wat gij op aarde ontbinden zult, zal ontbonden zijn in de hemelen. 20 Toen verbood Hij met nadruk zijn discipelen aan iemand te zeggen: Hij is de Christus. 21  Van toen aan begon Jezus Christus zijn discipelen te tonen, dat Hij naar Jeruzalem moest gaan en veel lijden van de zijde der oudsten en overpriesters en schriftgeleerden en gedood worden en ten derden dage opgewekt worden.” (Mattheüs 16:13-21 NBG51)

 “17  Toen Jezus zou opgaan naar Jeruzalem, nam Hij de twaalven terzijde, en onderweg sprak Hij tot hen:  18 Zie, wij gaan op naar Jeruzalem en de Zoon des mensen zal overgeleverd worden aan de overpriesters en schriftgeleerden en zij zullen Hem ter dood veroordelen. 19 En zij zullen Hem overleveren aan de heidenen om Hem te bespotten en te geselen en te kruisigen, en ten derden dage zal Hij opgewekt worden.” (Mattheüs 20:17-19 NBG51)

 “1  En toen zij Jeruzalem naderden en te Betfage kwamen, aan de Olijfberg, toen zond Jezus twee discipelen uit, tot wie Hij zeide: {} 2 Gaat naar het dorp, dat tegenover u ligt, en terstond zult gij een ezelin vastgebonden vinden, en een veulen bij haar. Maakt haar los en brengt haar tot Mij. 3 En indien iemand u iets erover mocht zeggen, zegt dan: de Here heeft ze nodig. Hij zal ze terstond [terug] zenden. 4 Dit is geschied, opdat vervuld zou worden hetgeen gesproken is door de profeet, toen hij zeide:  5 Zegt der dochter Sions: Zie, uw Koning komt tot u, zachtmoedig en rijdend op een ezel, en op een veulen, het jong van een lastdier. 6 Nadat de discipelen heengegaan waren en gedaan hadden, zoals Jezus hun had opgedragen, 7 brachten zij de ezelin en het veulen en zij legden hun klederen erop, en Hij ging daarop zitten. 8 En het merendeel der schare spreidde hun klederen op de weg, anderen sloegen takken van de bomen en spreidden die op de weg. 9 En de scharen, die voor Hem uit gingen en die volgden, riepen, zeggende: Hosanna de Zoon van David, gezegend Hij, die komt in de naam des Heren; Hosanna in de hoogste hemelen! 10 En toen Hij Jeruzalem binnenging, kwam de gehele stad in rep en roer en zeide: Wie is dit? {} 11 En de scharen zeiden: Dit is de profeet, Jezus, van Nazaret in Galilea.” (Mattheüs 21:1-11 NBG51)

 “1  En het geschiedde, toen Jezus al deze woorden geeindigd had, dat Hij tot zijn discipelen zeide: 2 Gij weet, dat het over twee dagen Paasfeest is, en alsdan wordt de Zoon des mensen overgeleverd om gekruisigd te worden. 3 Toen kwamen de overpriesters en de oudsten des volks bijeen in het paleis van de hogepriester, genaamd Kajafas, 4 en zij beraamden een plan om Jezus door list in handen te krijgen en te doden. 5 Maar zij zeiden: Niet op het feest, opdat er geen opschudding ontsta onder het volk.” (Mattheüs 26:1-5 NBG51)

 “17  Op de eerste dag van het feest der ongezuurde broden, kwamen de discipelen bij Jezus en zeiden: Waar wilt Gij, dat wij toebereidselen maken voor U om het Pascha te eten? 18 Hij zeide: Gaat naar de stad tot die-en-die en zegt tot hem: De Meester zegt: Mijn tijd is nabij; bij u houd Ik met mijn discipelen het Pascha. 19 En de discipelen deden, zoals Jezus hun had opgedragen, en zij maakten het Pascha gereed. 20 Toen het avond geworden was, lag Hij aan met de twaalf discipelen. 21 En terwijl zij aten, zeide Hij: Voorwaar, Ik zeg u, dat een van u Mij verraden zal. 22 En zeer bedroefd, begonnen zij, een voor een, tot Hem te zeggen: Ik ben het toch niet, Here? 23 Hij antwoordde hun en zeide: Die zijn hand met Mij in de schotel heeft gedoopt, die zal Mij verraden. 24 De Zoon des mensen gaat wel heen gelijk van Hem geschreven staat, doch wee die mens, door wie de Zoon des mensen verraden wordt. (26-25a) Het ware voor die mens goed geweest, als hij niet geboren was. 25 (26-25b) Judas, zijn verrader, antwoordde en zeide: Ik ben het toch niet, Rabbi? Hij zeide tot hem: Gij hebt het gezegd. 26  En terwijl zij aten, nam Jezus een brood, sprak de zegen uit, brak het en gaf het aan zijn discipelen en zeide: Neemt, eet, dit is mijn lichaam. 27 En Hij nam een beker, sprak de dankzegging uit en gaf hun die en zeide: Drinkt allen daaruit. 28 Want dit is het bloed van mijn verbond, dat voor velen vergoten wordt tot vergeving van zonden. 29 Doch Ik zeg u, Ik zal van nu aan voorzeker niet meer van deze vrucht van de wijnstok drinken, tot op die dag, dat Ik haar met u nieuw zal drinken in het Koninkrijk mijns Vaders. 30 En na de lofzang gezongen te hebben vertrokken zij naar de Olijfberg. 31  Toen zeide Jezus tot hen: Gij zult allen aan Mij aanstoot nemen in deze nacht. Want er staat geschreven: Ik zal de herder slaan en de schapen der kudde zullen verstrooid worden. 32 Doch nadat Ik zal zijn opgewekt, zal Ik u voorgaan naar Galilea. 33 Petrus antwoordde en zeide tot Hem: Al zouden allen aanstoot aan U nemen, ik nooit!  34 Jezus zeide tot hem: Voorwaar, Ik zeg u, in deze nacht, eer de haan kraait, zult gij Mij driemaal verloochenen. 35 Petrus zeide tot Hem: Zelfs al moest ik met U sterven, ik zal U voorzeker niet verloochenen. Zo spraken ook al de discipelen. 36  Toen ging Jezus met hen naar een plaats, genaamd Getsemane, en Hij zeide tot de discipelen: Zet u hier neder, terwijl Ik heenga om daar te bidden.” (Mattheüs 26:17-36 NBG51)

 “20 Wanneer gij dan bijeenkomt, is dat niet het eten van de maaltijd des Heren; 21 want bij het eten neemt ieder vooraf zijn eigen deel, zodat de een hongerig is en de ander dronken. 22 Hebt gij dan geen huizen om te eten en te drinken? Of minacht gij [zozeer] de gemeente Gods, dat gij de behoeftigen beschaamd maakt? Wat zal ik tot u zeggen? Zal ik u prijzen? Op dit punt prijs ik niet. 23  Want zelf heb ik bij overlevering van de Here ontvangen, wat ik u weder overgegeven heb, dat de Here Jezus in de nacht, waarin Hij werd overgeleverd, een brood nam, 24 de dankzegging uitsprak, het brak en zeide: Dit is mijn lichaam voor u, doet dit tot mijn gedachtenis. 25 Evenzo ook de beker, nadat de maaltijd afgelopen was, en Hij zeide: Deze beker is het nieuwe verbond in mijn bloed, doet dit, zo dikwijls gij die drinkt, tot mijn gedachtenis. 26 Want zo dikwijls gij dit brood eet en de beker drinkt, verkondigt gij de dood des Heren, totdat Hij komt. 27 Wie dus op onwaardige wijze het brood eet of de beker des Heren drinkt, zal zich bezondigen aan het lichaam en bloed des Heren. 28 Maar ieder beproeve zichzelf en ete dan van het brood en drinke uit de beker. 29 Want wie eet en drinkt, eet en drinkt tot zijn eigen oordeel, als hij het lichaam niet onderscheidt.  30 Daarom zijn er onder u velen zwak en ziekelijk en er ontslapen niet weinigen. 31 Indien wij echter onszelf beoordeelden, zouden wij niet onder het oordeel komen. 32 Maar onder het oordeel des Heren worden wij getuchtigd, opdat wij niet met de wereld zouden veroordeeld worden. 33 Daarom, mijn broeders, als gij samenkomt om te eten, wacht op elkander. 34 Heeft iemand honger, laat hij thuis eten, opdat gij niet tot uw oordeel bijeenkomt. Het overige zal ik regelen, wanneer ik kom. ” (1 Corinthiërs 11:20-34 NBG51)

*


+

Vindt ook:

  1. 1 -15 Nisan 
  2. 14 Nisan, de avond om Christus Zijn predikingswerk te herinneren
  3. 14 Nisan een dag om te herinneren #1 Oorsprong
  4. 14 Nisan een dag om te herinneren #2 In Jezus tijd
  5. 14 Nisan een dag om te herinneren #3 Voor het Overgangsfeest
  6. 14 Nisan een dag om te herinneren #4 Een Gedood Lam
  7. 14 Nisan een dag om te herinneren #5 De te vieren dag 
  8. Voorbereidingstijd tot een herinneringsmoment 
  9. Jezus Laatste Avondmaal 
  10. Jezus aanbod op het laatste avondmaal 
  11. Teken van het Verbond 
  12. Jezus moest sterven 
  13. Een Messias om te Sterven 
  14. Een Feestmaal en doodsherinnering 
  15. Een Groots Geschenk om te herinneren 
+++ 

Saturday 9 April 2011

Observance of a day to Remember

The Jews had been yearning for a Messiah who could bring relief from the Roman yoke. Many believed Jesus of Nazareth to be that long-awaited Saviour. For three and a half years, he had been speaking about God's Kingdom. He had cured the sick and fed the hungry. He had even brought comfort to many people. But the religious leaders were chafing under Jesus' burning denunciation of them and were desperate to have him killed. (Mark 10:32).

The chief priests, the scribes, and the principal men could not stand Jesus' actions and public teaching. On Nisan the 11th they had questioned Jesus on whose authority he did all those things.(Matthew 21:23-27)

The last day of Jesus' public ministry before his arrest, trial, and execution Jesus discussed several aspects of 'the sign of his presence.' He emphasized the need to "keep on the watch." Why? "Because, you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." (Luke 21:5, 6; Matthew 24:3, 42; Mark 13:3, 4, 7, 14, 21, 33, 35, 37; Luke 21:10, 11)

Jesus spended Nisan 12 quietly with his disciples. He realized that the religious leaders desperately wanted to kill him, and he did not want them to hinder his Passover celebration the following evening. (Mark 14:1, 2)

On Nisan 13, people were busy making final arrangements for the Passover. Early in the afternoon, Jesus had send Peter and John to prepare the Passover for them in an upper room in Jerusalem. (Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:8) A little before sundown, Jesus and the other ten apostles met them there for their last Passover celebration.

“and he said to them, “I have really wanted so much to celebrate this Seder with you before I die! for I tell you, it is certain that I will not celebrate it again until it is given its full meaning in the kingdom of god.”” (Luke 22:15-16 CJB)

 “also, taking a piece of matzah, he made the b’rakhah, broke it, gave it to them and said, “this is my body, which is being given for you; do this in memory of me.” he did the same with the cup after the meal, saying, “this cup is the new covenant, ratified by my blood, which is being poured out for you.” (Luke 22:19-20 CJB)

 “while they were eating, Yeshua took a piece of matzah, made the b’rakhah, broke it, gave it to the talmidim and said, “take! eat! this is my body!” also he took a cup of wine, made the b’rakhah, and gave it to them, saying, “all of you, drink from it! for this is my blood, which ratifies the new covenant, my blood shed on behalf of many, so that they may have their sins forgiven.” (Matthew 26:26-28 CJB)

Reason For Observance

Luke 22:19, 20 Also, he took a loaf, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: "This means my body which is to be given in YOUR behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me." 20 Also, the cup in the same way after they had the evening meal, he saying: "This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in YOUR behalf.
1 Corinthians 11:20, 26 Therefore, when YOU come together to one place, it is not possible to eat the Lord's evening meal. 26 For as often as YOU eat this loaf and drink this cup, YOU keep proclaiming the death of the Lord, until he arrives.
Romans 6:23 For the wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord

Exodus 12:26,27 26 And it must occur that when YOUR sons say to YOU, 'What does this service mean to YOU?' 27 then YOU must say, 'It is the sacrifice of the passover to Jehovah, who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when he plagued the Egyptians, but he delivered our houses.'" Then the people bowed low and prostrated themselves.

In obedience to Christ's instructions, "Keep doing this in remembrance of me," the 14th day of Nisan should be continued to be observed by his followers till this day as the time for memorializing Christ's death. (Luke 22:19, 20)

Voorbereidingstijd tot een herinneringsmoment

Na onze BijbelStudiedag in Amersfoort zullen wij met onze Broeders samen nog enkele dagen doorbrengen in Apeldoorn waar wij de straat zullen op gaan om te prediken, folders uit te delen en in de brievenbussen te steken.
Van 14 tot en met 23 april zullen het dan intense dagen zijn van actief prekingswerk maar ook van bezinning. Want uiteindelijk zullen wij toch stil staan bij enkele voorname gebeurtenissen in de geshiedenis die de wereld moesten schokken en een hele verandering hebben gebracht in de geschiedenis van de mensheid. Het zal een week van bezinning zijn rond het prachtige offer dat de zoon van God ons aangeboden heeft.

De 11de Nisan was Jezus met zijn leerlingen over de Olijfberg getrokken en had hun over autoriteit verteld, die hem ook in vraag was gesteld door de hoge priesters in de tempel.(Mattheus 21:23-27) Dit bracht ook het onderwerp van Jezus aanwezigheid en het einde der tijden in vraag bij zijn leerlingen. (Mattheus 24:3, 7, 14, 21; Markus 13:3, 4; Lukas 21:10, 11).

De 12de Nisan beleefde Jezus een rustige meditatieve dag met zijn leerlingen en keek hij uit met hen om samen de exodus te gaan vieren, ook al is hij bewust van de wens van de religieuze leiders om hem te doden. (Markus 14:1, 2) de dag er op zond hij Petrus en Johannes om voorbereidingen te treffen. (Markus 14:12-16; Lukas 22:8)

De Nazareen Jezus achtte zich niet minderwaardig om voor zijn leerlingen neer te knielen om hen hun voeten te wassen, en dat is wat hij doet wanneer zij op 14 Nisan samen in de gehuurde bovenkamer zijn. Hij had er geweldig naar verlangd om samen met zijn leerlingen dit belangrijke Joodse feest te vieren.
Als wij dan op zondag 17 april samen komen is het ook om dit memorable ogenblik te herinneren, want dat was een dag met een gebeurtenis die Jezus vroeg om in herinnering te nemen. Wanneer zij samen hadden gegeten nam Jezus het brood en de wijn voor hem en sprak dankgebeden uit vooraleer hij deze symbolen uitdelen aan zijn disgenoten.

“En Hij zeide tot hen: Ik heb zeer begeerd, dit Pascha met u te eten, eer dat Ik lijde; Want Ik zeg u, dat Ik niet meer daarvan eten zal, totdat alles vervuld is, in het Koninkrijk Gods.” (Lukas 22:15-16 Palm)

 “Ook nam Hij brood, en als Hij gedankt hebbende, brak Hij het, en gaf het hun, zeggende: Dat is Mijn lichaam, hetwelk voor u gegeven wordt; doet dat tot Mijn gedachtenis. Aldus ook deed Hij met de drinkbeker na het avondmaal, zeggende: Deze beker is het Nieuwe Verbond in Mijn bloed, hetwelk voor u vergoten wordt.” (Lukas 22:19-20 Palm)

 “Terwijl zij nu nog aan de maaltijd zaten, nam Jezus het brood, en, gedankt hebbende, brak Hij het, en gaf het de discipelen, en zeide: Neemt, eet, dat is Mijn lichaam! En Hij nam de drinkbeker, en, gedankt hebbende, gaf Hij hun die, zeggende: Drinkt allen daaruit! Want dit is Mijn bloed, het bloed van het Nieuwe Testament, dat voor velen vergoten wordt, tot vergeving der zonden!” (Mattheüs 26:26-28 Palm)

Op de avond dat hij zou overgeleverd worden bezegelde hij het Nieuwe Verbond en zei duidelijk "Doe dit om mij te gedenken". En dat is dan ook wat wij moeten doen die herinneringsdag.

Dit jaar valt die 14de Nisan ook op een zondag en zullen de meesten die dag ook vrij kunnen hebben om samen te komen. - Andere jaren valt het meestal in de week en is dat praktisch niet altijd voor iedereen te regelen. Daarom nemen wij daarbuiten ook die Christelijke 'Paasdag' om iedereen de kans te geven om tesamen dat Laatste Avondmaal te vieren. Dit jaar zal dat dan de zondag daar op zijn wanneer wij dan met verscheiden Broeders uit België, Frankrijk, Luxemburg en Groot-Brittannië samen zullen komen in onze ecclesia ruimte te Paris. Terwijl zondag 18 eerder een gesloten meeting van al onze medebroeders zal zijn met een gezellig tafelen, zal het de zondag er voor, op de werkelijk te vieren hoogdag 14 Nisan voor iedereen toegankelijk zijn.

Wie weet mogen wij u daar ook verwachten in Leuven, Tervuren, Kraainem of in Mons na zonsondergang op zondag 17 april.

A new exodus and offering of a Lamb

Lord's Evening Meal Instituted.

Over 15 centuries after the Exodus, on Nisan 14 of the year 33 C.E., Jesus gathered with his 12 apostles in Jerusalem to celebrate the last valid Passover, and then, having dismissed the traitorous Judas, he proceeded to institute the memorial of his death by means of the Lord's Supper, or Evening Meal. (Matthew 26:17-30; 1Corinthians 11:23-25)
Before Nisan 14 passed, he died as the Lamb of God.

On Nisan 16, the day the priest at the temple waved the firstfruits of the barley harvest, Jesus, as the firstfruits of the resurrection, was raised up to life again. (Luke 23:54-24:7; 1Corinthians 15:20).

What do we have to do? Remember?

In obedience to Christ's instructions, "Keep doing this in remembrance of me," the 14th day of Nisan continues to be observed by his followers till this day as the time for memorializing Christ's death. (Luke 22:19, 20)

The Hebrews began their day in the evening, after sunset, and ended it the next day at sunset. The day, therefore, ran from evening to evening. "From evening to evening you should observe your sabbath." (Levites 23:32) This follows the pattern of Jehovah's creative days, as indicated at Genesis 1:5: "There came to be evening and there came to be morning, a first day." (Compare Daniel 8:14).
The Hebrews were not the only ones who reckoned a day from evening to evening; the Phoenicians, Numidians, and Athenians also did so. The Babylonians, on the other hand, counted the day from sunrise to sunrise; while the Egyptians and the Romans reckoned it from midnight to midnight (as is commonly done today).

Day of remembrance coming near

A Ransomer and a free Gift of God to remember

"Every good gift and every perfect present" comes down from God, our heavenly Father. (James 1:17)

The Greatest gift that God has given to fallen mankind is provision for their recovery by means of his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus' death as our Ransomer makes possible everlasting life on a paradise earth. At Luke 22:19, we are commanded to memorialize his death.

This day of remembrance is coming near. Shall we be able to meet you?

On the 13th of Nisan lots of people were busy making final arrangements for the Passover, also Jesus and his disciples. Early in the afternoon, Jesus had send Peter and John to prepare the Passover for them in an upper room in Jerusalem. (Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:8) A little before sundown, Jesus and the other ten apostles met them there for their last Passover celebration.

Jesus had greatly desired to eat this passover with his close friends and told them he was going to suffer. (Luke 22:14, 15)
Jesus knew that one of these men—Judas Iscariot—had already arranged to betray him to the religious leaders. Understandably, he became very distressed. "One of you will betray me," he revealed. The apostles were highly grieved at this. (Matthew 26:21, 22) After celebrating the Passover, Jesus told Judas: "What you are doing get done more quickly."(John 13:27).

Once Judas had left, Jesus introduced a meal to commemorate his impending death. He took a loaf of the unleavened bread, expressed thanks in prayer, broke it, and instructed the 11 to partake. "This means my body," he sayd, "which is to be given in your behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me." He then took a cup of red wine. After saying a blessing, he passed the cup to them, telling them to drink out of it. Jesus added: "This means my 'blood of the covenant,' which is to be poured out in behalf of many for forgiveness of sins." (Luke 22:19, 20; Matthew 26:26-28).

During that momentous evening, Jesus taught his faithful apostles many valuable lessons, and among these the importance of brotherly love. (John 13:34, 35) He assured them that they were going to receive a "helper," the holy spirit. (John 14:26)
Later in the evening Jesus said a fervent prayer in their behalf. (John, chapter 17) After singing songs of praise, they left the upper room and followed Jesus out into the cool late-night air.

Sunday, April 17, we shall remember those moments and all the events of that night, when Judas Iscariot arrived with a crowd carrying swords, clubs, and torches in the the garden of Gethsemane. (John 18:1, 2; Luke 22:44; Matthew 26:47-52)
Jesus was arrested and bound, led away to Annas, the former high priest. Then he was taken to Caiaphas, the high priest, to be tried. In the early hours of the morning, the Sanhedrin falsely charged Jesus with blasphemy.

Caiaphas had him taken to Roman governor Pontius Pilate who got him send to Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee. Herod and his guards mocked Jesus were after they sent him back to Pilate, who confirmed Jesus innocence. But the Jewish religious leaders pressured him to condemn Jesus to death. After considerable verbal and physical abuse, Jesus was taken out to Golgotha where he was mercilessly nailed to a torture stake and suffered an agonizing death. (Mark 14:50-15:39; Luke 23:4-25)

It would have been the greatest tragedy in history if Jesus' death had brought a permanent end to his life. Happily, that was not the case. On Nisan 16, 33 C.E., his disciples were amazed to find that he had been raised from the dead. In time, more than 500 people were able to  verify that Jesus was again alive. And 40 days after his resurrection, a group of faithful followers saw him ascend to heaven. (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

Luke 22:14-71:
14 At length when the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them: “I have greatly desired to eat this passover with YOU before I suffer; 16 for I tell YOU, I will not eat it again until it becomes fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And, accepting a cup, he gave thanks and said: “Take this and pass it from one to the other among yourselves; 18 for I tell YOU, From now on I will not drink again from the product of the vine until the kingdom of God arrives.” 19 Also, he took a loaf, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: “This means my body which is to be given in YOUR behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me.”
20 Also, the cup in the same way after they had the evening meal, he saying: “This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in YOUR behalf. 21 “But, look! the hand of my betrayer is with me at the table. 22 Because the Son of man is going his way according to what is marked out; all the same, woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!” 23 So they started to discuss among themselves the question of which of them would really be the one that was about to do this. 24 However, there also arose a heated dispute among them over which one of them seemed to be greatest. 2
5 But he said to them: “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those having authority over them are called Benefactors. 26 YOU, though, are not to be that way. But let him that is the greatest among YOU become as the youngest, and the one acting as chief as the one ministering. 27 For which one is greater, the one reclining at the table or the one ministering? Is it not the one reclining at the table? But I am in YOUR midst as the one ministering.28 “However, YOU are the ones that have stuck with me in my trials; 29 and I make a covenant with YOU, just as my Father has made a covenant with me, for a kingdom, 30 that YOU may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 31 “Simon, Simon, look! Satan has demanded to have YOU men to sift YOU as wheat. 32 But I have made supplication for you that your faith may not give out; and you, when once you have returned, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Then he said to him: “Lord, I am ready to go with you both into prison and into death.” 34 But he said: “I tell you, Peter, A cock will not crow today until you have three times denied knowing me.” 35 He also said to them: “When I sent YOU forth without purse and food pouch and sandals, YOU did not want for anything, did YOU?” They said: “No!” 36 Then he said to them: “But now let the one that has a purse take it up, likewise also a food pouch; and let the one having no sword sell his outer garment and buy one. 37 For I tell YOU that this which is written must be accomplished in me, namely, „And he was reckoned with lawless ones.‟ For that which concerns me is having an accomplishment.” 38 Then they said: “Lord, look! here are two swords.” He said to them: “It is enough.” 39 On going out he went as customarily to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed him. 40 Having come to the place he said to them: “Carry on prayer, that YOU do not enter into temptation.”
41 And he himself drew away from them about a stone‟s throw, and bent his knees and began to pray, 42 saying: “Father, if you wish, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, let, not my will, but yours take place.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
44 But getting into an agony he continued praying more earnestly; and his sweat became as drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 And he rose from prayer, went to the disciples and found them slumbering from grief; 46 and he said to them: “Why are YOU sleeping? Rise and carry on prayer, that YOU do not
enter into temptation.” 47 While he was yet speaking, look! a crowd, and the [man] called Judas, one of the twelve, was going before them; and he approached Jesus to kiss him.
48 But Jesus said to him: “Judas, do you betray the Son of man with a kiss?” 49 When those about him saw what was going to happen, they said: “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 A certain one of them even did strike the slave of the high priest and took off his right ear. 51 But in reply Jesus said: “LET it go as far as this.” And he touched the ear and healed him. 52 Jesus then said to the chief priests and captains of the temple and older men that had come there for him: “Did YOU come out with swords and clubs as against a robber?
53 While I was with YOU in the temple day after day YOU did not stretch out YOUR hands against me. But this is YOUR hour and the authority of darkness.” 54 Then they arrested him and led him off and brought him into the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance. 55 When they lit a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter was sitting in among them. 56 But a certain servant girl saw him sitting by the bright fire and looked him over and said: “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying: “I do not know him, woman.” 58 And after a short time another person seeing him said: “You also are one of them.” But Peter said: “Man, I am not.” 59 And after about an hour intervened a certain other [man] began insisting strongly: “For a certainty this [man] also was with him; for, in fact, he is a Gal·i·le´an!” 60 But Peter said: “Man, I do not know what you are saying.” And instantly, while he was yet speaking, a cock crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter, and Peter recalled the utterance of the Lord when he said to him: “Before a cock crows today you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly. 63 Now the men that had him in custody began to make fun of him, hitting him; 64 and after covering him over they would ask and say: “Prophesy. Who is it that struck you?” 65 And they went on saying many other things in blasphemy against him. 66 At length when it became day, the assembly of older men of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they haled him into their San´he·drin hall, saying: 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them: “Even if I told YOU, YOU would not believe it at all. 68 Moreover, if I questioned YOU, YOU would not answer at all. 69 However, from now on the Son of man will be sitting at the powerful right hand of God.” 70 At this they all said: “Are you, therefore, the Son of God?” He said to them: “YOU yourselves are saying that I am.” 71 They said: “Why do we need further witness? For we ourselves have heard [it] out of his own mouth.” (NWT)

Friday 17 April 2009

Bread and Wine

"Despite the centrality of the breaking of bread service to the life of the community, Christadelphians do not ascribe any miraculous powers or holiness to the actual bread and wine which are used.
We do not subscribe to the doctrine of transubstantiation or anything akin to it, or to any act or doctrine which would teach that the bread and wine are to be regarded as an offering to God, as though Christ himself was present or could be present in the simple elements themselves. We believe that bread and wine are external tokens of inward remembrance, and hold no special virtue or strength in themselves.

Nevertheless the simple breaking of bread ceremony is a powerful means of support for the members. The ceremony was initiated by the Lord himself on the night before his death. It occurred at passover time when the Jews were remembering their deliverance from Egypt, more than a thousand years before. As the Jews in Egypt had taken a lamb in sacrifice and put the blood as a token upon their homes, so Christ was the passover lamb for his flock and they bear the token of remembrance upon their hearts.

As Egypt had held the Israelites captive in their iron furnace of affliction, so man had been held by Sin as taskmaster and Death as oppressor. Christ had come as deliverer:

"Christ our passover is sacrificed for us." (1 Corinthians 5:7)

Moreover, Christ regarded the cup of wine used at the service as a token of the new covenant in his blood. The new covenant, the everlasting covenant, is secured by his blood, and is the covenant which brings together all the promises made to Abraham and David of old:

"This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me ... This cup is the new covenant in my blood, even that which is poured out for you." (Luke 22:19-20, R.V.)

"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water ... let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together ..."
(Hebrews 10:22-25)

"Jesus the mediator of the new covenant ..." (Hebrews 12:24)

"He is the mediator of a new covenant ... that ... they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance." (Hebrews 9:15, R.V.)

"Ye were redeemed ... with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, even the blood of Christ." (1 Peter 1:18-19, R.V.)

It follows that the people who share the remembrance are covenant people. This is why fellowship is precious and by its very nature exclusive, even though there is an open invitation to all men to become covenant men in the way determined by God.

There are two elements in the act of remembrance, bread and wine. Each tells its own part of the great act of redemption in Christ. The bread speaks of the victory of Christ by sharing our nature, that we might share his triumph; the wine is a token of lifegiving, complete and free, that his cup of suffering and death might become the cup of joy and salvation for us:

"Then said I (Jesus), Lo, I am come ... to do thy will, O God ... by the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (Hebrews 10:7-10, R.V.)

"You ... hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight, if ye continue in the faith." (Colossians 1:21- 23)

"He poured out his life unto death ... he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." (Isaiah 53:12, N.I.V.)

"Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ?" (1 Corinthians 10:16, N.I.V.)

"Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." (Revelation 5:9-10)

It is remarkable that remembrance can be made so deeply effective by the use of everyday things of life at the time of Jesus, namely, bread and wine. There is no elaborate ritual, no question of ministration at the authorised hands of selected men and no holy place in which it is needful to conduct the ceremony. There is no such thing as holy bread or holy wine: holiness lies in the hearts of the believers remembering God's Holy One under His gracious blessing.

The bread and wine speak of the believers themselves. They are one in Christ, and this is shown in the One Loaf (the Greek word for bread is also the word for loaf). " We being many are one loaf." As the loaf is shared among many, so Christ's unity is to be made known in them because they are his body. The One Cup pictures their one life in Christ. He is the true Vine and they are the branches. The life of the branches comes from the tree: the life of the believers comes from their life in him made effective by his death on their behalf.

So it is that the believer is part of the act of remembrance. He is one with Christ and with his brethren. Fellowship is unity.

In this way, past and present are united in the weekly breaking of bread service. It is held on the first day of the week, the day of the resurrection of the Lord from the dead, because that is the custom which the first century believers adopted:

"Upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread ..." (Acts 20:7)

Much has been made of this service by various parts of Christendom, so that what takes place appears to bear very little resemblance to the simple, yet telling, things of which we have spoken. And there is often neglect. There is a part of the original Last Supper which appears often to be forgotten. It is an essential part; indeed, without it the rest loses its true meaning. The breaking of bread looks forward. It speaks powerfully of the future.
This is what the Lord himself said at the Last Supper:

"And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: for I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God ... I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come ... and I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table." (Luke 22:14-30)

The apostle Paul was not present at the Last Supper. He did not learn about it from any who were there. Jesus revealed directly to him what other apostles had gained by actual experience. What then did Jesus tell Paul about the last supper? Here are Paul's words from Jesus:

"For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come." (1 Corinthians 11:26)

Compare the phrases from the Last Supper meal and the words of Jesus to Paul:

"Until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God"

"Until the kingdom of God shall come ..."

"Till he come ..."

The Second Coming is the completion of the meaning of the Last Supper. Jesus said: "Until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God".
The Bread and Wine were not simply tokens of the past, nor were they merely symbols of the present; they were prophecies of things to come. The Unity of Bread and Wine have hitherto been shown only in part. A great number of the saints are sleeping in dust and the time when all the saints will be gathered together in one place has yet to come. The Unity in Christ is now enjoyed imperfectly in our fellowship with him and with one another; the perfection is yet to come when, says the Word of God, "He will gather together in one all things in Christ" (Ephesians 1:10). That is the day of the Kingdom, the day of immortality, the day when the Shepherd will have gathered all his sheep unto himself. They will sit at his table in his Kingdom in the marriage supper of the Lamb. The Bride and the Lord will then be one for ever.

What a marvellous consummation! The sorrowful, dark night of the Last Supper, which filled the disciples with bewilderment and heaviness, will issue forth in the resplendent glory of the day of Christ.

No man who understands these things will want to be excluded in that day. The fellowship of the Kingdom will be exclusive. "Many ... will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the Master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door ..." (Luke 13: 24-25). Today the door is open wide. Wise men will enter in. Those within will not venture outside. In their acts of fellowship they will not make contracts with that darkness which endangers their hope of life eternal. In marriage, they will marry someone who shares their faith (1 Corinthians 7: 39 and 2 Corinthians 6: 14); in business, they will not pursue the ways of ungodly and doubtful gain; in daily life, they will show that they have been with Jesus; and, in all things they will live as men of faith waiting for the return of their Lord.

There is remembrance in heaven corresponding to true remembrance on earth, and it looks forward to the day when all things shall be fulfilled:

"And a book of remembrance was written before him (God) for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make-up my Jewels." (Malachi 3:16-17)"

--------------------------
---
Brother Harry Tennant
Fellowship
The Christadelphians - What they Believe and Preach