A Maundy Thursday Evening Reflection
Read: Exodus 12:1-14 and 1 Corinthians 11: 20-34
Every year when Jewish families gather together to share in the Passover
meal, part of the Passover ceremony or Passover liturgy involves one member of
the family (usually the youngest) asking: "why is this night
different from all other nights?" In
response to that question the head of the family will narrate the story of the first
Passover (Exodus 12:1-14), reminding the family of God’s constancy and
faithfulness all those centuries ago. This retelling of the first Passover is
meant to provide an explanation for why this particular night is different from
all other nights, and to serve as a narrative reminder of a God who is
constantly with his people.
It is
therefore relevant that on Maundy Thursday evening, when we recall Jesus
sharing the Passover meal with his disciples, we consider for ourselves why that
night on which Jesus shared supper with his disciples was different from all
other nights, the night on which the central act of worship that we refer to as
the ‘Lord’s Supper’ was instituted.
First, it was a night of a Night of Deliverance. Exodus 12:14 tells
of how God powerfully and mightily delivered the people of Israel from their
bondage and slavery in Egypt. It tells of God’s great mercy in sparing Israel and giving them a new beginning,
a new hope. In relation to Christ’s crucifixion and the forgiveness secured on
the cross, this night becomes for us a night of deliverance, deliverance from
the bondage of sin and death.
Secondly,
it was a Night of Betrayal. In our communion liturgies, Jesus’ betrayal
by Judas is always highlighted. The last supper is described has having occurred
“on then night when Jesus was betrayed” (1 Cor 11:23). It is highlighted because
it was a sad occasion. Judas, one of the chosen twelve, betrayed him. It
was a betrayal of friendship, a betrayal
of responsibility, and a betrayal of trust. This could so easily be us.
Thirdly, it was a Night of Thanksgiving. The Lord’s
Supper as we have come to know it, was first of all an act of thanksgiving. In the
context of the original Passover, it was a thanksgiving for God’s deliverance
from Egypt. In the immediate context of Jesus sharing a meal with his disciples
that night, it was a thanksgiving for the provision of God – just as we would
say grace before a meal. Before the meal, Jesus “…gave thanks” (1 Cor 11:24). Some traditions call the
Lord’s Supper ‘Eucharist’; This comes from the Greek word meaning “to give thanks.” So
when we think of that night, we think of God’s deliverance and his provision,
and we give thanks.
Fourthly,
it was a Night of re-interpretation. In the well-known words of Jesus, when he
takes the bread and wine, the main components of Passover meal, he gives
them a new meaning – he re-interprets the significance of these elements when
he says that the bread is his body and the wine is his blood. Ordinary elements
suddenly take on an extraordinary meaning because of Jesus’ reinterpretation.
This is what we are called to remember each time with gather around the Lord’s table
– in sharing Christ’s body and blood, his presence is real to us (1 Cor 11:29).
Fifthly,
it was a Night of Remembrance. The Passover was celebrated year after year
so that the people would remember the goodness of God on that first Passover
night. Through his reinterpretation of the purpose of the bread and wine, Jesus
shifts the focus to himself. He celebrates the traditional meal, gives it a new
interpretation and then says, you are to do this ‘in remembrance of me’ (1 Cor 11:24 & 25). The focus of this night is on Jesus, his life,
teachings, commandments, suffering and
death. It is he whom we remember – his great love and his immeasurable forgiveness
for us.
Sixthly and finally, it is a Night for Witness. While we reflect on all the above, central to what
happened that night and the reinterpretation and symbolism involved, it is primarily
an act of witness to the second coming of Jesus. The apostle Paul says that the
act of partaking of the bread and wine is a proclamation of the
Lord’s death – a sign, a witness, “until he
comes again” (1 Cor 11:26).
The
events of that night are central to our faith. So we see why was
this night different from all other nights.
A Communion Prayer*
O Lord God, heavenly Father,
we praise and thank you for your grace
that through your Son Jesus Christ
you established this supper
in which we eat his body and drink his blood.
By your Holy Spirit, help us
to use this gift worthily,
to confess and forsake our sins,
to confidently believe that we are forgiven through Christ,
and to grow in faith and love day by day
until we come at last to the joy of eternal salvation,
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.
Amen.
we praise and thank you for your grace
that through your Son Jesus Christ
you established this supper
in which we eat his body and drink his blood.
By your Holy Spirit, help us
to use this gift worthily,
to confess and forsake our sins,
to confidently believe that we are forgiven through Christ,
and to grow in faith and love day by day
until we come at last to the joy of eternal salvation,
through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.
Amen.
*Source: Veit
Dietrich, 1506-1549
Source of this version: Freely
paraphrased from http://olcc.us/liturgical-resources/collects-veit-dietrich/
Doing a great job Mark during these difficult times. Thank you. First time I have missed Easter Communion for as long as I can remember, certainly sixty years.
ReplyDeleteDavid
Thankyou Mark,this helps me(us)to, through faith,feel part of that night,today.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mark for this excellent reflection.
ReplyDelete