Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?”13 And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him. 14 Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ 15 Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us.” 16 So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover. 17 In the evening He came with the twelve. 18 Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.” 19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?” And another said, “Is it I?” 20 He answered and said to them, “It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish. 21 The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.” Mark 14:12-21 NKJV
Father of Moses and of me,
So much in this passage. A reminder of Moses, Egypt, the plagues, death of the first born and life and freedom for Gods people. Rituals that had been continued year in and year out. Jesus fulfilling the need for a lamb to take away the sins of the world not just endless scarifies to cleanse Abraham’s descendants.
The disciples preparing for Passover with Jesus as they would have done other years. Trying to do exactly what Jesus asked but no address given! Ah but a man carrying a pitcher of water was unusual – that was women’s work. And this year was different. Jesus spoke of betrayal and Jesus repeatedly telling them he was going to die, be put to death and rise again (Matthew 16:21, 20:18,19 Mark 8:31, 9:32 10:32,33 Luke 9:21,22 . . . )
Jesus spoke about a betrayal so that Judas, who had already decided to do it, would know He knew! But of course the disciples all started making it about themselves. Is it I? Wanting to be seen as the good ones perhaps? Sometimes, I am afraid I will let Him down or He will know like the teachers of my youth – that I could do better?! But it is not about always trying harder or being perfect. It is about a relationship with You, Jesus, our Passover Lamb, who died and rose again and sent His Spirit to live in us. Keeping us forgiven and loved while we learn to be faithful. Simply doing our best and letting You, Lord do the rest.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 9th November 2025
Story of hymn below lyrics.
Holy Spirit, ever dwelling
in the holiest realms of light,
Holy Spirit, ever brooding
o’er a world of gloom and night,
Holy Spirit, ever raising
those of earth to thrones on high,
living, life-imparting Spirit,
you we praise and magnify.
Holy Spirit, ever living
as the Church’s very life,
Holy Spirit, ever striving
through us in a ceaseless strife,
Holy Spirit, ever forming
in the Church the mind of Christ,
you we praise with endless worship
for your gracious gifts unpriced.
Holy Spirit, ever working
through the Church’s ministry,
teaching, strength’ning, and absolving,
setting captive sinners free,
Holy Spirit, ever binding
age to age and soul to soul
in communion never ending,
you we worship and extol.
Lyrics: Timothy Rees
Timothy Rees was ordained a deacon in December 1897, and priest a year later. After serving two years as curate at Mountain Ash, he returned to S. Michael’s College as lecturer, and in 1906 he joined the Community of the Resurrection at Mirfield, Yorks. He remained there (save for five years as chaplain to the Forces, 1914-19, when he was awarded the Military Cross) till his appointment as bishop of Llandaff in 1931.
It is written that as bishop he gave himself unsparingly to the work of the Church and nation. He was a magnificent orator in Welsh and English, and his earnestness and fervour, combined with a rigid self-discipline, had a profound effect on all those who met him.
The hymn was shorted to 3 verses in 1946
Verse 4 in original.
Holy Spirit, fount and channel
Of the sevenfold gifts of grace,
May we in our hearts for ever
Give to holy fear a place.
Fill our lives, O Lord, with worship,
As with service gladly done;
Bend our souls in adoration
Of the eternal Three in One