“Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed. 8 Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said, “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.” “Where do you want us to prepare it?” they asked him. He replied, “As soon as you enter Jerusalem, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him. At the house he enters, say to the owner, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’ He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up. That is where you should prepare our meal.” They went off to the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover meal there. . .
19 . . . He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.” Luke 22:7-13, 19-20 NLT
Lord Jesus,
You meticulously organised every detail of that last intimate supper. Just as You planned every detail for the amazing breakthrough into our human history. To be born and and walk as one of us and live and die for us. Purposed from the beginning of creation or before?!
The first Passover in Egypt showed how death would pass over the homes where the sacrificial blood was applied. We take Communion or say grace before a meal in remembrance of Your blood shed sacrificially for us. How could we forget, even for a second, Your lavish gift of life. So perfectly planned and carried out for our redemption.
“Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. 40 There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.” 41 He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. 44 He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.” Luke 22:39-44 NLT
Son of man, Son of God. We pause. To consider the depth and width of temptation that almost, but did not, overcome You in that garden on the Mount of Olives. And we know: You understand temptation, turmoil, pain, heartbreak, rejection, facing death. All those things we may and will face. You understand because You have been there, stood in our shoes on our behalf. Thank You. Help us overcome our own temptations to be faithful and true.
In Your name mighty name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer,
Loving Lord Jesus,
For our family, friends and neighbours to know they are loved by You.
For our nation, to retain the foundation of Your law of justice and mercy.
For there to be a respect for life in this nation and the world.
For Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Myanmar places of conflict to find the path to peace.
For us to understand the depth of Your pain to understand Your all encompassing love.
Worship Thursday 28th March 2024
Beautiful words, softly spoken and we come to worship.
Oh, how could it be
That my God would welcome me
Into this mystery?
Say, “take this bread, take this wine”
Now the simple made divine
For any to receive
By Your mercy we come to Your table
By Your grace You are making us faithful
Lord, we remember You
And remembrance leads us to worship
And as we worship You
Our worship leads to communion
We respond to Your invitation
We remember You
See His body, His blood
Know that He has overcome
Every trial we will face
None too lost to be saved
None too broken or ashamed
All are welcome in this place
By Your mercy we come to Your table
By Your grace You are making us faithful
Dying, You destroyed our death
Rising, You restored our life
Lord Jesus, come in glory
Lord Jesus, come in glory
Dying, You destroyed our death
Rising, You restored our life
Lord Jesus, come in glory
Lord Jesus, come in glory
Lord Jesus, come in glory
Jesus come
By Your mercy we come to Your table
By Your grace You are making us faithful
Lord, we remember You
And remembrance leads us to worship
And as we worship You
Our worship leads to communion
We respond to Your invitation
We respond to Your invitation
We remember You