MAUNDY THURSDAY MEDITATION by William B. Coker, Sr. (not dated)
Matthew 26:17-30
A spiritually intense moment for Jews.
- A reminder of how they came to be as a nation.
- A “communion of saints” with those who made up their history.
- A personal participation in redemption history (Masada today).
We can only imagine how intense for Jesus.
- He knew the final confrontation was at hand.
“All hell broke loose” – It was about to!
- Jesus’ intensity reflected in his comment to the disciples:
“I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you I shall not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 22:15-16).
Jesus’ great desire to eat this meal with his disciples must be understood in the light of what He did: He took bread, and gave thanks; broke it and distributed to his disciples. “This is my body; do this often in remembrance of me. This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”
WHAT DID HE MEAN? WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THOSE OF US WHO FOLLOW?
Donald Baillie (The Theology of the Sacraments) suggests three significant elements:
The Memory, The Presence, and The Hope.
- A memorial feast, the Eucharist is a harkening back to the incarnation
>Establishes the historical reference
>Proclaims the passion of Christ for our redemption
>Meaning of the word “Maundy” is Remember
- A sacrament of worship, the communion underscores the Real Presence
>Not to be lost in arguments about how Christ is here
>Baillie – “…looking beyond ourselves to Him who is waiting to be gracious to us, Him who answers before we call and hears while we are yet speaking, Him who in His grace and love is near and as real as the bread which we see with our eyes and touch with our hands.”
>Sacramentum = the oath taken by a Roman soldier that he would never desert the standard, never turn his back on the foe, and never be disloyal to his commander.
- A celebration of hope, the Lord’s Supper looks toward the consummation
>A prophecy of victory
“O Christ, Thy triumphs now begin O’er captive death and conquered sin.”
>A present participation in the Age to Come
As you participate, I suggest three words for perspective:
REMEMBER – the Lord’s suffering and your part in His death.
REALIZE – our participation is our pledge to faithfulness
REJOICE – to us is the promise for the marriage feast of the Lamb
Ann Coker 