Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Scripture Lesson just read, from Matthew 26. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- Tonight we will be considering the arrangements and the actual celebration of the Passover, on that very first Maundy Thursday, the night in which Jesus was betrayed and taken for trial to the Sanhedrin.
- There is much for us to consider regarding service and hospitality, and how simple acts of kindness can provide opportunity for the greatest kinds of blessedness.
- It was the disciples who came to Jesus with the inquiry about where they would celebrate the Passover. In asking, they volunteered to prepare for the eating of the Passover. We don’t know which of the disciples asked, or what each disciple did to prepare the meal, but it is important to note their willingness and service to Jesus.
- The donation of a “venue” for this Last Supper of Jesus’ and His disciples is also significant. We do not know the name of this man, and he has stirred up a great deal of curiosity among Bible students and scholars. But it is apparent that:
I. This Man Knew Jesus As His Teacher – He Must Have Been A Repentant Believer
Text: “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples.’”
Remember, this was Jesus’ teaching:
Mark 1:15 “Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’”
Statement: This is the most important thing about this man. Because he knew what Jesus had come into the world to do, to provide forgiveness and salvation to all mankind as the Lamb of God, he was gratefully willing to do whatever he was called upon to do. If the “Teacher” had need of anything, he was willing to provide it.
Application: Curiously, the disciples acted immediately upon this direction from Jesus, even though they were not given a name or an address for this man. And upon securing the “house” for this Last Passover supper of Jesus, they prepared the Passover.
Transition: There is no doubt that this was a time of great tension, filled with nervousness and fear. Jesus had told His disciples in no uncertain terms what was to happen to Him, including His death by crucifixion. And while this must have been difficult for Jesus’ disciples:
II. This Man Who Hosted The Last Supper Needed Only This Word From Jesus To Spring Into Action, Trusting Jesus Completely
Text: “The disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.”
Statement: There were no delays, no balking, no negotiation of price. This must have amazed the disciples. And I suppose that it would amaze us as well. We are often astounded at the kind of love and generosity that people exercise who know Jesus and who are grateful for His love and salvation!
Application: So let us consider also what the Teacher has done for us. Let us consider the joyful obedience of His disciples, and the ready generosity and hospitality of this student and follower of Jesus! And let us consider that the Lord can also use our acts of kindness, generosity, and hospitality to work great things today!
Transition: For out of this seemingly mundane celebration of the Passover, which had been occurring in Israel for 1,400 years, great things would be set in place by Jesus, our Teacher.
III. This Man Provided The Setting For The Institution Of The Lord’s Supper – A Wondrous Blessing For The Church For The Past 2,000 Years
Text: “As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take eat; this is My body.’ And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’”
Statement: Yes, there was also a bitter betrayal announced, and Judas identified as the nefarious one. This injected great sorrow among the other disciples – all of whom asked Jesus if it would be them. This is remarkable humility among the eleven. They would also desert Jesus – with the exception of John.
Application: But the supper, the new meal which the Teacher instituted for His disciples, this would ultimately bolster the faith of the eleven after Jesus’ resurrection. Imagine their wonder at His Words: “This is My body; this is My blood . . . for the forgiveness of sins.” And this same supper has bolstered and strengthened the faith of Jesus’ followers ever since, to this very day. And while we also marvel at His Words, we nonetheless believe our Master and Teacher, our dear Savior, and rejoice to receive Him in the mystery in which He comes to us – in bread and wine, and especially in the blessed assurance of His full and complete forgiveness and pardon!
Conclusion: So we are here this evening – in a building that was paid for by the donations of many people, followers of Jesus. It continues to be kept and maintained by the donations of many followers of Jesus. And within this sanctuary we hear the Words of Jesus taught and proclaimed, and we receive Him, the Lord Jesus, in His Sacramental meal – His very body and blood, as He proclaims – for the forgiveness of our sins.
We too humbly sorrow for our sins, and recognize that we could easily be numbered among the worst of sinners. But our only comfort and joy is in Jesus – the blood atonement for our sins. And with joy, we also remain willing to exercise generosity and hospitality – knowing that whatever is done to another, is received by Jesus as having been done to Him. And with Jesus, great things are always happening! Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.