E N D
Matthew 26:36-42 • 36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” 40 And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? 41 Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”42 He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
Ceremony of the Keys. • Since 1280 AD.
Lord’s Supper • Since 30 AD. • Over 103,000 straight Sundays. • Central to the worship of the first Christians. • Acts 2:42. • Acts 20:7.
First Christians: • They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42) • On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them . . . (Acts 20:7)
The Twelve: • Partook of the 1st Communion in grief. • News of betrayal, Matthew 26:21-22. • Thoughts of the cup of wrath, Mark 10:39. • News that Jesus is leaving, John 14:1.
The Twelve: • Partook with feelings of loyalty. • So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves.
The Twelve: • Partook with a view toward redemption. • for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:28)
Jesus: • Dreaded the war He was about to fight. • He always knew how it would end. • Suffering was on His mind, Luke 22:15-16.
Jesus: • Partook of the supper in hope. • who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame . . . (Hebrews 12:2).
Jesus: • Partook as a servant. • 5 Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
As We Take The Supper: • Remember Jesus: • Washing feet. • Dreading of war. • Remember The 12: • Eating in grief. • Giving thanks. • Accepting suffering.
How To Enter Into Christ:Do you believe (Mark 16:16)?Will you repent (Acts 2:38)?Will you confess Jesus (Rom. 10:9-10)?Will you wash away your sins in baptism (Acts 22:16)?