Partakers Christian Podcasts

Investigating Jesus - Part 36

Investigating Jesus Part 36

Jesus’ Last Night:
Jesus serves (John 13)

In an extraordinary move, Jesus washes the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17).  Why does He do this? As part of the custom of the day, a servant or slave usually undertook foot washing of guests. Since none of the disciples had done this, Jesus Himself undertakes the task (John 13:4-5). Peter, recalcitrant and resistant as always, objects (John 13:6, 8). Peter learns that only those cleansed by Jesus and trusting in Him fully, can be a part of the kingdom (John 13:7, 9).

As we look back at this episode, knowing what we do now of the Cross of Jesus Christ, we learn how this simple act of washing the feet of His disciples, is symbolic of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the Cross.

• Jesus’ getting up to serve symbolizes his coming to serve.
• Just as Peter opposed Jesus going to the cross (Matthew 16:21-23), so he objected to having his feet washed here
• As he took off his cloak, this symbolizes his glory being taken off when he became man.
• Girding Himself with a towel, symbolizes his taking on human flesh at the incarnation.
• As the water cleansed the feet, so Jesus death and blood cleanse from sin.
• As he returned to where he was sitting and sat down after finishing this act of service, Jesus returned to the right hand of God after his work on the Cross.
• Both events display great love and service.

When we became Christian Disciples, our sins were forgiven through Jesus’ death on the Cross. That is when we had our “bath” as it were. That is the point when we were justified before God and we are declared his child. Having been justified already, we don’t need a bath anymore. But we do need the equivalent of a feet-washing daily, and or every time we take Holy Communion, and a cleansing of our sin when we confess it before our God and repent.

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Investigating Jesus - Part 35

Investigating Jesus Part 35

Jesus’ Last Night:
Jesus prepares (Luke 22)

The disciples needed a room within Jerusalem itself, and required food - a lamb, bread, bitter herbs and wine. Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover." "Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked. He replied, "As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, 'The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' he will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there." They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. (Luke 22:7-13).

The Passover meal contains historical and theological symbolism regarding the death of Jesus. Therefore, this meal is the model for the central act of Christian worship, which is known as many things including Eucharist, Lord's Supper or Holy Communion.

• Opening Prayer
• First cup of wine and a dish of herbs and sauce.
• Story of the Passover was recited.
• Psalm 113 was sung
• Second cup of wine
• Prayer of Grace
• Main course of roast lamb with unleavened bread and bitter herbs
• A further prayer
• Third cup of wine.
• Psalm 114 to 118 were then sung.
• Fourth cup of wine.

Then Jesus goes on to serve, and that is what we look at in the next Podcast.

 

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Investigating Jesus - Part 34

Investigating Jesus Part 34

Jesus’ Last Night:
Jesus plans (Luke 22)

A lot of businesses and a lot of churches have mission statements. Here we have what is clearly Jesus’ Mission statement and after 3 years of ministry from that point, Jesus has preached the good news of God’s salvation. He has healed the sick. He will release the oppressed by his death on the cross. His mission will be fulfilled at the cross.

Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles were the three most important feasts in the Jewish calendar (Leviticus 21). All Jewish men were expected to visit Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 16:16). The Feast of Passover was to commemorate the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, and it was a time for remembering and rejoicing (Exodus 11-12). In Luke 22, we come to Jesus’ last night before he goes to that cross.

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve, and Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. (Luke 22:1-6)

It was time for Passover, a supremely important event for the Jewish people. Jews were expected to remove all yeast from their houses (Exodus 12:15) as a reminder that their ancestors left Egypt in a hurry and had to eat bread without yeast. Jesus had warned his disciples about the “yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” (Luke 12:1). In other words, the religious leaders had cleansed their houses but not their hearts. The last thing the religious leaders wanted was a messianic uprising during Passover (Luke 19:11).

What about Judas though? As for him, we see that he was never a true believer. How do we know this? Because his sins had never been cleansed by the Lord (John 13:10-11). Therefore, Judas had never believed or received eternal life from Jesus Christ (John 6:64-71). It should be noted however, Judas had been given authority and had been preaching the same message. This goes to show just how close a person can come to the kingdom of God and still be lost and not a part of it (Matthew 7:21-29). In contrast to the other disciples, we see that Judas was motivated and energized by satan (John 13:2, 27).

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