The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world…” John 1: 29, NKJV
Lord, here we are again. We need the guidance of Your Holy Spirit to walk us through the study of Your Word. Please open our eyes to see what You want us to see. In Jesus’ name; Amen
Today is Thursday. This is the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Jesus sends Peter and John to secure a place for the group to celebrate it (Luke 22: 8). This feast will be the first of its kind. Type must now give way to antitype. On the day that the Paschal lamb is to be sacrified, the Lamb of God will be crucified. Atonement will be made not only for the sins of a nation, but for the sins of the whole world.
As evening falls, Jesus and His disciples make their way to the upper room, that has been prepared. At the door is a basin with water, and a towel; but there is a problem – no servant is present to wash their feet. The disciples are still arguing about “Who is the greatest?” Jesus is very sad. His disciples, after three and a half years, still have not gotten it! Will they ever? Jesus removes the outer garment that restricts His movement, girds Himself with a towel, and gets ready to serve His disciples (John 13: 4, 5). He will be the Servant. He utters no words of rebuke, shows no impatience; He simply models humility.
There are no bitter herbs, no salt water, no roasted lamb. There is no standing with staff in hand, ready for flight. The old dispensation is on its way out. Egyptian bondage has given way to the bondage of sin. They are now in their own land, they can recline and relax, as they partake of unleavened bread, and unfermented wine, symbols of His body and blood. Soon, Christ’s body, marred like none before Him (Isaiah 52: 14), would be broken for your sins and mine. His blood would be shed to wash away the sins of the world. The Passover feast will give way to rhe Communion service – preceded by the Service of humiliation. Jesus has exemplified this, and assures them, and us, “If you know these things, blessed are you, if you do them” (John 13: 12-17).
The first pair of feet He washes are those of Judas, His betrayer. How He yearns to save His beloved disciple from the awful destiny that He has chosen for Himself! For a few fleeting moments Judas’ heart responds. But soon, pride gives way to rebellion… When Jesus attempts to wash Peter’s feet, the reaction is: Never Lord! Peter, how can you have a part with Me unless you allow Me, Your Redeemer, to wash away Your sins? Then Lord, wash not only my feet; but all of me (8, 9)! Peter will deny His Lord, but He will seek pardon. Judas left the upper room, “and it was night” (26-30). He had said “No” to grace… Then they “sang a hymn” and went out.
The Garden of Gethsemane, over the brook Cedron, is their next stop. Jesus is already dying as they cross over the bridge. He stumbles under the weight of the sins of the world. For the first time, in all eternity, the Son is being separated from the Father! Sin is causing the separation. He who committed no sin, became sin, to set us free from sin! What a tragedy! Oh, that we might understand the destructive nature of sin, and just how offensive it is to God. May we come to realize what it cost heaven! Jesus leaves His disciples a little distance and goes aside to pray. He cannot bear for them to see His inexpressible agony. His heart is breaking; He is bleeding through His pores…(Luke 22: 44). Even nature seems to be feeling the dread of what is happening to its Creator. He pleads with the Father, If there is some other way, then “let this cup pass from Me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” But, if there is no other way, Your will be done. Let love prevail! I will drink the very dregs in the cup! I will go the last mile! I will save My creation( 42, 43)!
Blessed Savior, there is no other way, for the wages of sin is death! My sins caused Your death. May my life bring You glory!