Multi-Institute Council of Orange County

Thursday, of the last week, as they observe Passover, Jesus institutes the Sacrament. Three keys…
1. Both ordinances look back in remembrance and forward in anticipation. The Passover reminds Israel of their freedom from bo***ge in Egypt and looks forward to the coming of Christ, the pascal lamb. The lambs blood on the doorposts a graphic symbol for both. The Sacrament remembers His Atoning sacrifice and looks forward in anticipation to His Second Coming, “until the day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

2. The Passover was to be observed as a memorial ordinance among Israel forever, (see Ex. 12:13, 17, 24), so then why don’t we keep it today? We do! The ordinance and principles remain, only the form has changed, meaning the Atonement of Christ, which it anticipated, has come to pass. Note, the Atonement takes place on the Passover, and as Paul reminds us, “Christ our Passover was crucified for us” (1 Cor. 5:7)!

3. Finally, at the last supper, Jesus declares, “this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.” His blood is a key element, on the door posts anciently and symbolized in the water/wine on Sunday. A constant reminder that in the Garden, “being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground.” To bleed from one’s pores, “hematradosis” is the medical term is a very rare occurrence!
In addition to the awful agony of Gethsemane and on the cross, at some point the Father’s presence was removed, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me”? He had to tread the wine press alone and He sweats blood. A great propitiation, “the sacrifice that makes payment for!” Each Sunday, He extends to us that same cup in remembrance and anticipation of Him. Jesus invites us, “this do in remembrance of me.” Happy Easter week all!

Two seemingly uncharacteristic actions of the Savior! How are we to understand? Are they in any way related? In each account, Jesus encounters things that appear different than they really are, than they really should be.
The temple, God’s Holy House has been turned into a den of thieves, a pollution of that which is sacred. Defiling outside that which is beautiful within.
Conversely, the fig tree, full of leaves, beautiful in its outward appearance, is barren, void of fruit and disappointingly unable to produce what it promises.
Jesus is teaching powerful lessons with each. Do not deface or defile that which is sacred and comes from above. Conversely, do not adorn, dress up, or appear to make beautiful, that which is empty and barren, unable to provide what it deceptively promises.
We live in a world filled with a myriad of deceptions. The prophet Isaiah pronounced, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light… bitter for sweet” and vice versa. Jesus is teaching with powerful demonstration in His day; Be clean, be true, within as well as without, be honest, shun hypocrisy, strive to be evermore real; to see as we are seen and know as we are known, and inviting us to discern and distinguish the things of God from the things of the world by their fruits. Reminding us evermore to produce and bring forth good fruit after His kind! Happy Monday all!

Palm Sunday, They spread palm leaves as Jesus enters the city, the palms have become a symbol of victory, from the Maccabean era revolt, a short lived freedom from Roman oppression. They shout Hosannah, Save us Now! Likely many are looking to Jesus as a deliverer from the current political oppression, but He has come for a much higher deliverance - from sin and death! The donkey a key symbol, as a beast of burden, anticipates the burdens Jesus will shortly bear vicariously for all the people… All of Us! Happy Easter Week to All!

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