MARK 14:22-26 FROM THE PAST TO THE FUTURE How greatly did the Lord appreciate the expression of love from Mary! How grieved He must have been by the treachery of Judas! He was not immune to the emotional aspects of being a human. In the expression of love, none can compare with Him! In resenting evil there is no one with such holy anger as His - and yet He always had His emotions under control. Even sitting by Judas as he dipped his unleavened bread into the same broth and spoke the solemn words of condemnation, "It was good for him if he had not been born," the Lord's response was always in captivity to His holy will.
The Passover feast was over. The ancient symbolism to a small group of people had fulfilled its purpose. The ways of God with the Jews they had annually been called to remember, are no longer relevant. There is a new feast that is far-reaching to all people and places on earth. "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the feast." This is the feast of remembrance of a Person, not just an event. At the same time, we make a visible, public proclamation of His death and the value of the Gospel to us. Memory stirs the emotion. Memory produces thanksgiving. This sacramental feast which was introduced the night of the Lord's betrayal is a visible evidence of unseen grace. That is the meaning of sacrament. The two emblems the Lord used for us to remember Him by are bread and a cup of the fruit of the vine. These are truly sacramental symbols that remind us of the matchless grace of Jesus. Some have called these emblems "the Eucharist," which means "thanksgiving." It is true when we remember the Lord Jesus Christ, we are moved in our hearts to thanksgiving. So rather than the emblems being the "Eucharist," a reason for which we gather is for Eucharist.
What actually happened that night after all the Passovers were finished, and there is no more reason for Passover feasts, the Lord was making arrangements for those who love Him and believe in Him to continually remember Him in the weekly Lord's Supper. The fact and form of the Lord's Supper is such that at each reoccurring gathering of His people to remember Him, there is visible evidence of what He has accomplished for God and blessed us with. In every part of the world these emblems are available. This is like a portrait picture of a loved one. We don't look at it to be instructed intellectually, but rather to be moved by our emotions and affection so our heart toward that person is stirred by love.
When the Lord "took bread" it was symbolic of an act of His own mind and will when "He took upon Him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men." More than just taking it, He "blessed" and "brake" it. We bless what we are thankful for, and we are reminded that our Lord "gave Himself." He wanted to "be found in fashion as a man." He knew He would suffer physically, spiritually and emotionally - and He wants us to remember those all-important aspects of God's will that He fulfilled. The cup He took and gave thanks for is evidence that a new covenant has been made in which both parties who form the covenant, die to themselves and live for the other. The life He gave symbolized in the cup, is His own eternal life. He gave His life for us so we could share that life with Him. A few drops of our blood could never compare with the "blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." If all of our blood was shed, we would die because of our sin. His sinless ness makes His blood fully efficacious for us because He gave it for us. We who have believed in Him and have been "made the righteousness of God in Him," died when He died, were buried when He was buried, rose again to new life when He rose from among the dead ones. The value and results of His sacrificial death for us is what moves us emotionally and spiritually at the Lord's Supper.
We are not abandoned to our own devices as to how this feast is to be kept. The simple emblems are set apart for this purpose. The table of thanksgiving in the center of the gathered company signifies to us the fact that our Savior is in the midst of us. Those who partake of that feast are those who are there for Him, not for themselves or what they might get from being there. It is like a portrait of the Servant of Jehovah God looks upon and His "soul finds all His delight." He wants us to "Behold My Servant" and find our joy and delight in the same Person. The "Lamb of God" was first for God's satisfaction. We are blessed because God was satisfied, the Lord Jesus Christ was willing to die for us, and we are now "accepted in the Beloved." There is a sense in which we can see ourselves in the blessing of that feast because we are made members of His body. What blessing we have been given! What joy it is to be able to be at that feast! What holiness is expected of all who partake of those emblems!
To many it is just a service "the church of your choice" promotes. They don't understand the value of a covenant God has sealed with His oath. Eternal life is not an experience, it is a new life planted by God. It is not an extension of the old life we had - that one belonged to the world.
The remembrance of Christ in God's appointed way is a holy convocation. Two emblems sitting upon the table testify to the basis of our salvation. These were not chosen by the Lord without careful consideration. World-wide these fundamental foods provide for human preservation.
Bread is called the "staff of life," but before life the seed must die. By means of death the life-force brings forth the bread on which we rely. In taking bread the Lord gave visible evidence of what He did pass through. From His death and burial, resurrection brings life made new.
Nutrients in the fruit of vines are needed for normal and healthy living. We cannot generate by our own efforts the benefits the fruit is giving. By being cut off and pressured hard there comes to us a blessing. Those who partake of that cup of remembrance, testify to eternal life possessing.
As sacraments of which we partake, these visible emblems of grace - Move our hearts and emotions to worship the Father and to praise The name and Person of our Lord - and at that Supper is the place Where with words and thoughts of our blessed Lord we come to Him in faith.
"Father in heaven, the Lord's Supper on the first day of the week is a very special time and place to me. It seems like being there with other Christians there are many ways of expressing our gratitude and worship that I miss when I am alone. I long Father, to be with Thy own people and pray of Thee that this will be possible as we remember Him and proclaim His death until He comes. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."
MARK 14: 26. “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.” SING A HYMN. The Passover feast has ended permanently. The Supper that began with evidence of a new covenant is over. The seats are about to be emptied as the night draws on. The weight of sorrow hangs heavy on the company of men as they realize their Lord and Master is sorrowful. He is sorrowful at the thought of one of His own betraying Him at this very moment; another soon to deny Him; and all to forsake Him. But then the sound of a hymn begins and one after another, joins in and their voices mingle and blend as each express in word, thought and sound, the thoughts of another who years before put into words what they are now thinking.
It is a unique feature of human experience to be able to join together with others and think the same thoughts, say the same words, voice the same appreciation or desire all at the same time, and it not be discordant. The human voice is an instrument without any comparison among other instruments. With the voice, tongue, lips and palette I am able to put into words the thoughts of my heart. With others in unison, we are able to do the same thing together. And yet if we all talk at the same time, even though the words are the same, it is seldom able to be understood. The Great Designer of the human body has also given us the ability to change the sounds of our voice to adapt to that of others around me. If we all make the same sound at the same time, in the same tone of voice, we will be able to be understood. However, even with that understanding, it is hard to listen to the same voice tone all the time and not be bored or disinterested.
God has given us the ability to all say the same words, at the same time, think the same thoughts and feel the same emotions as those around me by the simple action of changing tones in unison. That is singing. When the tune being sung is deliberately made harmonious, it becomes a beautiful sound to the hearers. When the message of the words, the sound of the voices and the tune is beautiful, it is very moving to the heart and soul of the hearers as well as the singers. Those male voices that night, singing their hymn of worship, praise or testimony, would have moved the hearts of all involved. In this way they were, to a degree, to participate with the Lord in His sorrow.
When they got to the Mount of Olives, they were asked to pray, but were unable to continue praying because they were tired and sad – and so they slept. They slept while He prayed. Let us not overlook the value of a good hymn well sung with others. It can warm the heart, sooth the troubled mind, proclaim a message of faith and truth, testify to the grace of God, give praise to the Lord, express words and thoughts of worship, and glorify God.
“Sometimes, Father, I think the singing of hymns is very secondary in order of importance of my fellowship with Thee. But at this moment I can understand that it was very appropriate for those disciples to sing that hymn along with the Lord. Help me to be ready with a psalm, hymn or spiritual song at all times, because I don’t really know just when it will be the right thing to do at any given time. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”