Maundy Thursday
Final Draft, March 23, 2013
Message preached, March 28, 2013
Message preached, March 28, 2013
It's Maundy Thursday. A time when we remember Jesus meeting with his disciples in that Upper Room.
But, there are so many things to remember between here and Easter Sunday that we might miss a few things if we don't care to take a closer look. And, all the while, still focusing on Peter as the center of our Lenten study.
We have partaken in the elements of bread and wine tonight. We have heard where Jesus washed their feet.
But, what happened after that? If we actually took the time to sit and think about the events we have heard about, the events we remember learning about, can we put things in order? Or, would there be missing pieces in our memories as we try to remember?
If I asked you about your week, how things went for you, how things unfolded in certain activites, could you recall each event, each moment, with clear and certain accuracy? The same can be said for those in the scriptures. These disciples who have left everything, who followed this Messiah for 3 years, what do they remember? Haven't we read several times and heard it for ourselves...
But, there are so many things to remember between here and Easter Sunday that we might miss a few things if we don't care to take a closer look. And, all the while, still focusing on Peter as the center of our Lenten study.
We have partaken in the elements of bread and wine tonight. We have heard where Jesus washed their feet.
But, what happened after that? If we actually took the time to sit and think about the events we have heard about, the events we remember learning about, can we put things in order? Or, would there be missing pieces in our memories as we try to remember?
If I asked you about your week, how things went for you, how things unfolded in certain activites, could you recall each event, each moment, with clear and certain accuracy? The same can be said for those in the scriptures. These disciples who have left everything, who followed this Messiah for 3 years, what do they remember? Haven't we read several times and heard it for ourselves...
With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.
Mark 9:32
But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.
Luke 9:45
But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
Luke 18:34
The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.
John 13:7
In these last few days and moments, Jesus continues to work at helping them understand.
In Matthew and in John there is much discourse from Jesus after he enters the Holy City of Jerusalem.
From the time Jesus enters Jerusalem in Matthew 21 he seems to spend all of his time teaching and telling parables, giving every last ounce to helping everyone understand.
After John 13, however, the discourse is different. It is simply the disciples. For 3 chapters (John 14-16) Jesus walks with them and talks with them, sharing the secrets of following Him and knowing the Father.
Sandy Wince - In The Garden
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
In these last few days and moments, Jesus continues to work at helping them understand.
In Matthew and in John there is much discourse from Jesus after he enters the Holy City of Jerusalem.
From the time Jesus enters Jerusalem in Matthew 21 he seems to spend all of his time teaching and telling parables, giving every last ounce to helping everyone understand.
After John 13, however, the discourse is different. It is simply the disciples. For 3 chapters (John 14-16) Jesus walks with them and talks with them, sharing the secrets of following Him and knowing the Father.
I come to the garden alone,Now we approach the Garden....
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses . . .
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known! Words and Music by C. Austin Miles , 1912
Sandy Wince - In The Garden
Matthew 26:36-46
New International Version (NIV)
Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
45 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. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Isn't it hard for us to keep alert and awake during those dark moments in life?
And, we wonder why we have missing pieces in our lives.
It has been a long hard day. According to the accounts, it doesn't look like they have stopped since they entered the Holy City. Jesus is constantly teaching, constantly sharing and healing. Now the week has culminated in the meal at the Upper Room and the walk to the Garden.
It's hard to pay attention. It's hard to stay focused. I might be tired too. I might feel sleepy. It's nighttime. It's the time we usually lay down and get some rest. Only now the situation around us is wanting us to hang on a bit longer. A friend needs out attention. A hand to hold. A prayer to be offered.
All Jesus wants is some companionship, some friendship, some one to pray with Him and support Him through this difficult time. But, life has dealt it blows to us and we have enough on our hearts and minds already. We would love to help, but we just can't.
And, then the moment of trying comes to us and we are not prepared. We are not ready to face our foes. But, the moment comes anyway. It does not ask for our permission. It does not ask if we are ready. What can we change about ourselves so that next time we face a trial or a test we will be able to confidently stand and persevere? Instead, we crumble. We falter. But, Jesus still resounds the words. "Rise. Let us go."
528. Nearer, My God, to Thee
John 18:2-12
New International Version (NIV)
4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”
5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.
“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”
“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.
8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”[a]
10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him
Missing pieces abound in our lives when we don't have all the facts. Look at the missing pieces in this last passage. Where did that sword come from? People remember different things. All 4 Gospel account have this story. But all 3 of the synoptics simply say "one of the disciples" drew a sword. Luke's account even says somebody asks first. "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" (22.49) But, John's account puts it right on Peter. He is the one carrying the sword and he is the one who cuts off the ear of the high priest's servant.
In my mind, that's a pretty big fact to miss. This guy is carrying a sword. Where did he get the sword? Has he been carrying for sometime now or did he get it on the way to the garden? Maybe it was after Jesus' first announcement that he would have to die at the hands of the chief priests and Pharisees. Maybe Peter starts 'packing heat' just in case. Still that's a big fact to omit. A missing piece.
And, then, there is the missing piece of the ear. Because they did not understand, namely Peter, drastic measures are taken. Don't we know what that's like in our own lives. We do and say things thinking we have it all figured out; thinking that we know best about a particular issues. It is only after the atrocities happen, because of the words we have uttered and the actions we have set in motion, that we stop and realize we have done the wrong thing.
Luke's account says that Jesus picks up the ear of Malchus, heals him, and makes things right. Even in the hardest moment, the craziest of situations, Jesus can bring healing. "No more of this!" Jesus calls out. It sounds like the same emphasis used on the sea when he calms the storm. "Peace, be still". The Lord knows what he is doing. He knows how hard those moments can be. And, instead of being the mighty ruler, he becomes the Great Physician, healing our hearts and souls.
700. Abide with Me
Mark 14:53-72
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.
57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.’” 59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.
60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”
They all condemned him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.
Peter Disowns Jesus
66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.[a]
69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it.
After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”
71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”
72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.[b] Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice[c] you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
At a distance. When we follow at a distance we are bound to miss something. We are not where we should be, right where the action is. We are behind. We are a few steps from the pace. Peter follows 'at a distance'. Once again he has been rebuked. Once again he has either spoken or done the wrong thing. Could he be a bit timid? Could he feel rejected, not wanted? Not he stay a few feet away, not sure if he should be here in the first place.
Now the missing piece is in the form of relationship. How do we react when we are missing that closeness? We need fellowship. We need contact and conversation. But, to often our words and actions lead to a gulf being formed. Peter can feel the gulf now. He cannot be where Jesus is. It is not his fault. Jesus said this would happen. Jesus warned them of the events of this week. It is the misunderstanding that causes the gulf. A drop, a speck of faith in what Jesus has already told them would have been enough to hang on to.
Jesus had formerly told Peter that Satan wanted to sift him like wheat. What better moment is there than when we lack the one thing needed to help us stand? 3 questions come. 3 chances to stand firm. Instead, it becomes 3 moments of embarrassment. 3 questions that bring fear and judgment.
It is the fear and judgment that cause us to waiver, to fail those who need us the most. And, so, we break down and weep. Mark says that it is not until after the failure comes that Peter remembers what Jesus says, “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.”
Far too often we are left with the great "what if?"
Why didn't I listen? What if I could go back, do it over again?
What if? Peter has a lot of "if" rolling through his head right now.
To often so do we. If we could have that one chance back again.
But, the moment is gone. New chances will come. Another moment will find us.
And, maybe, just maybe, we will find a few missing pieces the help us the next time.
If a picture paints a thousand words,
Then why can't I paint you?
The words will never show the you I've come to know.
If a face could launch a thousand ships,
Then where am I to go?
There's no one home but you,
You're all that's left me too.
And when my love for life is running dry,
You come and pour yourself on me.
If a man could be two places at one time,
I'd be with you.
Tomorrow and today, beside you all the way.
If the world should stop revolving spinning slowly down to die,
I'd spend the end with you.
And when the world was through,
Then one by one the stars would all go out,
Then you and I would simply fly away
Songwriters: HEATON, PAUL / SHIELDS, SCOTT / SLATTERY, MARTIN PAUL
If lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
