Resurrection Life of Jesus Church

THE BEGINNING
The Passover week began on Palm Sunday when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Upon arriving at the temple ground, He threw out the money changers and merchants. After teaching for the rest of the day, He and the apostles returned to the village of Bethany.

Jesus and his disciples returned to the temple ground in Jerusalem on Monday morning and the God-man spent the entire day teaching. In the evening, they went back to Bethany for the night.

Jesus stayed in Bethany on Tuesday, and later in the day, the disciples asked Him where He wanted them to prepare for the Passover meal. They were instructed to go to seek out a specific person in Jerusalem. Matthew 26:17-19

THE PASSOVER MEAL
Early Tuesday evening, Jesus arrived at the prepared house and sat down to eat the meal of roasted lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs which were dipped in a dish of ground nuts, apples, pears and wine. verse 20

As they ate, the God-man stated that one of them would betray Him. This created a commotion as each man asked if he was the one. verses 21-22

Jesus responded that the one who dipped bread in the dish at the same time was the traitor. Then God-man declared it would have been better for the betrayer never to have been born. verses 23-24

Judas deceitfully asked Jesus if he was the turncoat. verse 25

THE TRANSITION
This particular Passover meal was to be the last one under the First Covenant. Jesus chose two elements – bread and wine – for a new sacrament that would become known as the Lord’s Supper or Communion. verses 26-28

Jesus said He would not drink the fruit of vine until He was in His Father’s kingdom, which came into existence after the resurrection. verse 29

JUDAS ISCARIOT
Judas Iscariot did not hate Jesus, as a matter of fact, he loved the God-man. But Judas was a Kabbalist, and like so many at that time, mistakenly believed the Messiah was going to be a man anointed by God.

The Kabbalah messiah would not pay for the sins of the human race, but was going to use supernatural power to re-establish the Kingdom of Israel and defeat the Romans. The Jews believed they would become rulers of the world. Hence why the apostles asked this specific question. Acts 1:6

Since Jesus was not going along the program, Judas tried to force the God-man into using His supernatural powers. By betraying Jesus and helping the Jewish leadership to arrest him, Judas thought to force the Son of God into jump-starting a Kabbalistic ministry and re-establish of the Kingdom of Israel. Matthew 26:14-16

Jesus had previously encountered this type of behavior in Galilee when people saw His miracles and tried to take Jesus by force to make Him king of Israel. John 6:14-15

When Judas realized the Jewish leadership was going to turn Jesus over to the Romans for crucifixion on Wednesday morning, he realized that his plan had failed and the God-man had no intention of taking supernatural control of Jerusalem. Most likely Judas, like some of the other disciples, felt that Jesus was not really the Messiah. Luke 24:18-21

There is no record that Judas ever repented for the betrayal. He went to the temple and cast the 30 silver coins on the floor, stating that he had betrayed innocent blood. Instead of seeking God’s forgiveness, he took matters into his own hands and hung himself to atone for his sin. Matthew 27:1-5

THE APOSTLES
I have been walking with the Lord since 1965, graduated from seminary in 1973 with a Master of Divinity degree, and have been a pastor for 51 years. It was one of those “Aha!” moments as I was preparing for this message and realized the foot washing of the apostles took place immediately after the Passover meal was finished. Most churches do not practice foot washing as the leadership of the different denominations do not want to admit that these two sacraments were carried out in one setting. John 13:1-5

The custom at the time of Jesus was for the invited person to have their feet washed at a basin just inside the door by a servant. The guest sat while his feet were bathed. This menial task was looked upon, so when Jesus came to Peter, he began to loudly object to the Messiah doing such a service to him. verses 6-8

When Jesus rebuked Peter’s refusal, the apostle changed instantly and asked to be completely washed. verses 9-11

In examining the Passover Meal and the washing of the feet of the apostles, it must have been an extremely emotional time for Jesus who knew that in less than 24 hours He would be hanging on the cross. The apostle John stated that Jesus loved them to the very end (John 13:1b). Every foot washing service of which I have participated has been very emotional and rewarding as people bond to each other and to Jesus.

TWO SACRAMENTS
The Lord and Master of the disciples had washed their feet and they should do likewise to each other. The God-man promised you will be happy when you obey this sacrament. verses 12-17

Combining communion with foot washing was easy for the apostolic church since believers met in homes in small numbers. By A.D. 325, the majority of bishops in the Roman empire agreed to make the Christian church into a state religion. In order to be “politically correct” the preaching of the need to be born again was removed along with water baptism through immersion and foot washing.

Most Christians assume that communion and foot washing should be done in a church setting, but what hinders families from observing these sacraments at home? I believe there would be less divorce if this was practiced at home, leading to a stronger bond and more love between spouses and their children. Siblings would also forge strong bonds with one another.

RIGHT CONDITIONS
The apostle Paul set forth how a communion service should be conducted.

• Eating the bread and drinking from the cup will bring damage to the person not born again.

• Taking communion with unconfessed sin will also bring damnation. If this activity continues, it will bring weakness, sickness, and death.

Paul stated that when a Christian is willing to examine himself to determine if there is any unconfessed sin, unforgiveness, and/or to seek reconciliation, he can take communion without fear of repercussion. If a Christian judge himself, God will not have to judge him. 1 Corinthians 11:23-33