Scripture:
Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck You?” And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him. (Lk.22:63-65)
Meditation: Jesus the Passover Lamb
Today (Thursday: The Fifth Day of a Week) significant day for the Jewish people. It is called Preparation Day or Feast of Passover Day or The Day of Unleavened Bread (Lk.22:7). That day the Passover lamb must be killed. Jesus the Passover Lamb was slain on the cross on that day of “Preparation Day”. The Preparation Day begins the Thursday sun down and end at Friday sun down. Jesus was hanged on the cross on Friday around 9AM to 3 PM (Mk.15:25; Lk.23:44). It was within the time frame of Preparation Day.
Jesus told His disciples to prepare for the Passover feast. Here Jesus showed His deity by pointing out the specific person to lead for the place where they must feast unleavened bread. Disciples must have been surprised with this experience. However all the gospel account writers do not express any amazement that should have made by disciples. Probably the disciples have already experienced once when they were told to get the donkey for the Master’s use at triumphant entry toward Jerusalem a few days ago.
Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck You?” And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him. (Lk.22:63-65)
Meditation: Jesus the Passover Lamb
Today (Thursday: The Fifth Day of a Week) significant day for the Jewish people. It is called Preparation Day or Feast of Passover Day or The Day of Unleavened Bread (Lk.22:7). That day the Passover lamb must be killed. Jesus the Passover Lamb was slain on the cross on that day of “Preparation Day”. The Preparation Day begins the Thursday sun down and end at Friday sun down. Jesus was hanged on the cross on Friday around 9AM to 3 PM (Mk.15:25; Lk.23:44). It was within the time frame of Preparation Day.
Jesus told His disciples to prepare for the Passover feast. Here Jesus showed His deity by pointing out the specific person to lead for the place where they must feast unleavened bread. Disciples must have been surprised with this experience. However all the gospel account writers do not express any amazement that should have made by disciples. Probably the disciples have already experienced once when they were told to get the donkey for the Master’s use at triumphant entry toward Jerusalem a few days ago.
This day, Jesus introduced Lord’s Supper (Communion) on the day of Passover feast. We can see the paradigm shifted. The New Covenant is replaced upon the Old Covenant. Jesus said, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood...” Indeed, the blood of Christ which is the New Covenant that God has made with us, no more the blood of animals, which is Old one. “New” in the sense that “Better One” which is “Better Covenant” now we have in Christ.
After the supper, Jesus and His disciple went up to the Mount of Olives where the garden of Gethsemane located. Jesus prayed the rest of the night in agony, the sweat became like great drops of blood. The angel of God comforted Him.
The disciples were not able to stay up with Him. From this time on ward Jesus was experiencing the separation from God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. The capture of this thought alone causes Him to suffer much. Indeed, separation from God itself is the ultimate punishment for sin as we understand the concept of “Eternal Hell.”
As the betrayer, Judas Iscariot approached Him and kissed, Jesus said, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Lk.22:48). This question must stroked deep to the heart of Judas. Interestingly, when Jesus responded the question of the troops that they seek Jesus of Nazareth, saying “I am He,” they all fell back to the ground (Jn.18:6). The power of Christ is evident in His name.
There was another betrayer, Peter Simon denied Jesus three times as He predicted. When rooster crows Peter cried bitterly and repented. The traditional story told about Peter’s the last moment was that he was crucified upside down on the cross. He said that he was not worthy to die like Master, so he requested to be crucified upside down on that cross. He was faithful to Christ till he died.
Jesus was beaten and mocked through out the night. He faced the Sanhedrin, the council of chief priests and scribes. Then He was continued to be trialed till in the Friday morning by the Jewish religious leaders.
Application:
Scriptures says, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” (Isa.53:7).
As the betrayer, Judas Iscariot approached Him and kissed, Jesus said, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” (Lk.22:48). This question must stroked deep to the heart of Judas. Interestingly, when Jesus responded the question of the troops that they seek Jesus of Nazareth, saying “I am He,” they all fell back to the ground (Jn.18:6). The power of Christ is evident in His name.
There was another betrayer, Peter Simon denied Jesus three times as He predicted. When rooster crows Peter cried bitterly and repented. The traditional story told about Peter’s the last moment was that he was crucified upside down on the cross. He said that he was not worthy to die like Master, so he requested to be crucified upside down on that cross. He was faithful to Christ till he died.
Jesus was beaten and mocked through out the night. He faced the Sanhedrin, the council of chief priests and scribes. Then He was continued to be trialed till in the Friday morning by the Jewish religious leaders.
Application:
Scriptures says, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” (Isa.53:7).
Jesus suffered and bore our iniquities upon Him, willingly gave up His life for many. He faced shame and humility although He was the Son of God. Do we deserve this grace? Are we worthy to receive such mercy? No one deserves any thing, except Jesus gave freely. For He loves us while we are yet sinners, He dies for us (Rom.5:8). Are you still refusing His grace and mercy? Let us remember His sacrificial love whenever we partake of communion. Let us be faithful to Christ until the end. 
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