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Message summary: "The hour" was that singular
moment in space and time for which Christ, "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" had come to this world. Oswald Chambers states, "The cross is the crystallized point in history where eternity merges with time".
"And when the hour was come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him" (Luke 22:14). "It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end" (John 13:1)."After Jesus said this, He looked toward heaven and prayed: 'Father, the hour has come. Glorify
Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You'" (John 17:1).
How deep the Father's love for us, How vast beyond all measure, That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure.
Today is often called Maundy Thursday, also referred to as "Holy Thursday" or "Great Thursday" in some denominations. The word Maundy is
derived from the Latin word for "command" or mandate. The "Maundy" in "Maundy Thursday" refers to the command Jesus gave to the disciples at the Last Supper, that they should love and serve one another.
Since it is now Thursday of Holy Week let us consider the events that likely took place on this day. Maundy Thursday is the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, known as the Last Supper.
Consider the twelve apostles: it was only several years earlier they
had left all to follow Christ. What an experience they had listening to Christ's wonderful teachings, witnessing His astounding miracles, being edified through their close fellowship and enjoying the breaking of bread together.
At the time of His first miracle Jesus said "Woman, why do you involve me? My hour has not yet come" (John 2:4). Earlier in Christ's ministry the opposition had tried to seize Him but could not, "because His hour was not yet come" (John
7:30).
But this night was different; the careful historian Luke introduces His gathering with the disciples for the Passover meal with this solemn description, "And when the hour was come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him".
Now the Twelve leaned around a table and Jesus shared what surely seemed to them a confusing illustration during the familiar Passover meal: "My body which is given for you, My blood which is shed for
you".
"What is He talking about?" they surely wondered as they may have whispered amongst themselves. They must have looked at each other to get a sense of whether anyone was connecting or understood Jesus as He again spoke of dying. Just days earlier He had come into Jerusalem to great fanfare and shouts from the crowd recognizing that He was the King. That's what they wanted. That's what they expected. And ultimately that's what they got, just not in the way they
expected.
"The hour" was that singular moment in space and time for which Christ, "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" had come to this world. Oswald Chambers states, "The cross is the crystallized point in history where eternity merges with time".
May we who believe and follow Christ reaffirm our commitment to our great and loving God. We pray that the desire of Paul’s heart would also be the theme of our prayer: "May I never boast except in the cross of our
Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Galatians 6:14).
The atoning death of Christ on the cross is the supreme demonstration of God's love resulting in:
• Our redemption from sin • Our reconciliation to God • Our restoration to wholeness
On this Maundy Thursday of Holy Week, let us rejoice in the ultimate demonstration of Christ's supreme love.
Daily prayer: Father, I glory in the Cross of Calvary from which Your Son, my Lord and Savior, died for my sins when the hour was come. I choose to boast only in Jesus who lifted the heavy chains from my enslaved soul which freed me to newness of life. Thank You, God, for demonstrating Your love toward me in that You gave Your one and only Son, Jesus, to die for me. At just the right hour, while I was still powerless and overpowered by the weight of
my sin, He died for me. Because of this incredible act of love and forgiveness I have redemption from sin, reconciliation with You, and I am restored to spiritual wholeness. My sins are erased and my burden is lifted. Praise be to God through Christ Jesus my Lord! Amen.
Here is a listing of different Scripture verses where Christ speaks of "the hour" in the sense of today's message.
"Then He
returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners'" (Matthew 26:45).
"Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him" (Mark 14:35).
"Returning the third time, he said to them, 'Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour
has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners'" (Mark 14:41).
"When the hour came, Jesus and His apostles reclined at the table" (Luke 22:14).
"Woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied. "My hour has not yet come" (John 2:4).
"At this they tried to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come" (John 7:30).
"He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come" (John 8:20).
"Jesus replied, 'The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified'" (John 12:23).
"Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I
came to this hour" (John 12:27).
"It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end" (John 13:1).
"After Jesus said this, He looked toward heaven and prayed: 'Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you'" (John
17:1).
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"How Deep The Father's Love For Us"Watch on YouTube Stuart Townend
Local readers: On Saturday April 11 Bible teacher Del Tackett will present an "Understanding Our Times and the Biblical Path Forward" seminar here in Lancaster County. See
here for information.
Here's a very interesting video teaching Tackett has that will build your faith if you care to take the time to watch. "Is Genesis History?"
Scenes more from our neighborhood
Several weeks ago we wrote about "The rejected lamb of God" and this is the
lamb that we wrote about. He is growing healthily and follows the children all over the farm since they were the ones who fed and cared for him when his mother rejected him. Ester enjoyed holding him and named him Joshua, from the book by Max Lucado named "The Crippled Lamb". I (Brooksyne) read it to her many times as a child, especially during Christmas, and even as an adult she still enjoys reading or hearing this sweet story.
My neighbor Chris was preparing his field for spring planting yesterday afternoon.
Click on image to enlarge
On another farm Aaron was plowing a field. A great smell is freshly turned soil! This field will be planted in watermelons that will be sold through the Lancaster Fresh Farm Co-op and I expect we will also be able to buy them at the roadside stand.
Click on image to enlarge
While I was there Aaron's younger siblings brought out his supper. Click on image to enlarge
While Aaron ate his supper the horses enjoyed the brief break. Click on image to enlarge
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