Keeping Perspective

40 days past, we began our observance of Lent, the time of preparation. World events overwhelmed us and here we are at Maundy Thursday remembering our Savior’s death and, in a few days, His Resurrection. Let’s not allow the chaotic news, the social distance, or our internal dread keep us from worship and renewal.  Let’s truly keep the fast and the feast so that we will not lose sight of our true identity and God’s great love.

2,000 years ago, Jesus observed Passover with His disciples. Why did He do it? He was remembering that night in Egypt when the Lord calling His people to faith, and ‘passed over’ their homes as He moved in judgment through the land of Egypt. When they, in faith, splashed the blood a sacrificed lamb on the sides of the entry doors of their homes, God spared their sons. In faithful obedience, they found salvation. God then led those people out of slavery in Egypt to return to the Promised Land, where they became His people, a holy nation. Passover celebrated a new identity for the children of Abraham.

When Jesus celebrated that Passover, He revealed a new era, a new covenant about to be written. Do you remember? "When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them,  "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God."  After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." (Luke 22:14-20, NIV)  

He was the new Lamb of God! Those who responded to the invitation of the Spirit and accepted His sacrifice on their behalf, found salvation becoming a part of God’s plan to call people out of captivity to sin into His Church, a holy people, whose mission would be to announce that Christ has conquered sin and death, the ‘Kingdom Come!’  This is what we remember and celebrate in these holy days.

At the Cross, there was an intense battle. In a mystery that is beyond our full understanding, God dealt with sin, evil, and death by becoming sin for us.  Jesus emerged from the tomb the Victor, the sacrificial Lamb of God, now the King of Glory. What a tragedy to reduce our commemoration of this amazing cosmic event to some chocolate candy, colored eggs, and the Easter bunny.

The somberness of this day, the fast of Good Friday, the observance of Communion, the feast of Easter – they are part of the way we remember, renew, and keep perspective in a world that conspires to make us forget who we are, what is our hope and our calling to be His holy people.  Let us remember, reverently, yet joyfully that the Kingdom is come. We are no slaves to sin, no longer doomed to death. We are beloved children of God, called to Life and Light. Our Jesus is both Savior and King!  

 Jesus said - "Do this in remembrance of me!"   When we share the Lord's Supper, we will pray to go again to the Cross, the altar where His sacrifice changed our destiny, where He tore down the barriers that kept us from God's Presence, where the authority and hope of the new Kingdom was released. and made possible.  

(I will celebrate a ‘virtual’ Communion on Good Friday at 7 PM. You can connect through the Facebook page of Faith Discovery Church or through the church’s website – https://FaithDiscovery.com)

So, enter in! When you take the Cup and Bread in Communion, when you sing of the Empty Tomb - pray as Jesus taught  - "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10, NIV)  New life, new dedication, healing, hope – this is the Kingdom Come.  Has the kingdom come to you?

Here is a word from the Word about our NEW identity in Christ Jesus. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." (1 Peter 2:9-10, NIV)

Abba, lift us me and help me to see beyond today, beyond the troubles.

Renew me in faith and teach me of Your desire for me.

When I take the Cup and Bread, when I remember in fast and feast,

Let Your Spirit write of Your love and my holy calling on my heart.

Lead us to renewal and rediscovery of the joy of the Lord as

We worship You.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen

_______________

Who You Say I Am
(Your identity in Christ)

Who am I that the highest King

Would welcome me

I was lost but He brought me in

Oh His love for me

Oh His love for me

Who the Son sets free

Oh is free indeed

I'm a child of God

Yes I am

Free at last

He has ransomed me

His grace runs deep

While I was a slave to sin

Jesus died for me

Yes He died for me

In my Father's house

There's a place for me

I'm a child of God

Yes I am

I am chosen not forsaken

I am who You say I am

You are for me not against me

I am who You say I am

(Oh) (Yes) I am who You say I am

Ben Fielding | Reuben Morgan

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