Message Notes

MAUNDY THURSDAY MESSAGE 9 April 2020
Text: Matthew 26:17-75
Title: “My time is at hand”

INTRODUCTION

1. The week had been so eventful

a) The triumphal ride into Jerusalem, seated on the foal of a donkey

b) Cleansing of the temple

c) Healing of the sick

d) Disputing with the scribes, chief priests and others

2. The Passover had come

a) Jesus wanted to keep this Passover with His disciples

b) The Passover was always a family meal

c) The Disciples were His family

NORMAL PASSOVER TRADITION

1. The Passover had been celebrated for centuries, from the time of Moses

2. It was a national religious Feast to be kept by all in Israel (Exodus 12)

3. The typical features were there:

a) The unleavened bread

b) The wine

c) The blessings and the giving of thanks

4. NORMAL was good

a) Representing a great and important tradition

b) Remembering of what God had done for Israel

i) Passing over the children of Israel when He visited judgment on Egypt

ii) All who had the blood of the lamb on the lintel and on the doorposts
were spared from judgment and death

c) Reverence was maintained

i) Reverence towards God

ii) Reverence was the appropriate practice of the fear of the LORD

NEW TRADITION INTRODUCED

1. Normal is good

2. NEW is even more significant!

a) The bread

i) It represented sustenance

ii) It represented God’s promise to continue to provide

iii) The NEW Element
The Bread represented the Body of the Lord Jesus Christ!

iv) This was entirely NEW

v) Its significance would take time to sink in

b) The cup of wine

i) Bread and wine were part and parcel of the Passover Meal

ii) The wine also represented God’s promise of provision

iii) The NEW Element
The wine represented the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ

iv) His blood was for the remission of sins Matthew 26:28

v) This was unexpected. This was a whole NEW line of thought!

vi) The blood of Jesus was the confirmation of the NEW Covenant

3. The New Covenant

a) This was prophesied by Jeremiah the prophet (Jeremiah 31:31-37)

b) The New Covenant was mentioned again (Jeremiah 33:19-26)

4. The promise of the New Covenant was fulfilled by the Lord Jesus

5. Relevant features of the New Covenant

a) God will put His law in our hearts and minds (Jeremiah 31:33)

b) He will teach His people personally (Jeremiah 31:34a)

c) Forgiveness of sins will be given (Jeremiah 31:34b)

THE CONCLUSION OF THE PASSOVER MEAL

1. It concluded with a hymn of praise (Matthew 26:30a)

2. Jesus was walking towards the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:30b)

THE “NOW MOMENT”

1. The striking of the Shepherd (Matthew 26:31; Zechariah 13:7)

a) This was prophesied

b) It would be fulfilled that very night

c) This was the NOW moment for Jesus

d) Jesus was unafraid

e) Once again, He spoke confidently of His resurrection (Matthew 26:32)

f) He would see them again in Galilee (Matthew 26:32)

2. The scattering of the sheep of the flock (Matthew 26:31; Zechariah 13:7)

a) This was forewarned

b) This was applied to the Disciples

c) It would happen that very night too

d) This was the NOW moment for the Disciples

STRONG RESPONSE FROM THE DISCIPLES

1. Peter was the first to respond

a) Even if all are made to stumble because of You (Matthew 26:33a)
He was referring to his fellow-disciples

b) I will never be made to stumble (Matthew 26:33b)

c) His tone:

i) Strident

ii) Stubborn

2. The other disciples

a) They also agreed with Peter

b) They too said that they would not be made to stumble (Matthew 26:35c)

A GENTLE WORD OF WARNING TO PETER

1. Jesus foretold his denial

2. Peter would deny the Lord three times (Matthew 26:34)

3. Peter refused to accept what Jesus said

a) Even if I have to die with You (Matthew 26:35a)

b) I will not deny you (Matthew 26:35b)

i) Sentiments of Peter to be appreciated

ii) Strength of Peter however was overestimated

THE “NOW MOMENT” REALISED

1. The Lord Jesus was struck

a) He was captured

b) He was tortured

c) He was crucified

d) But He remained firm and focused in His trust in His Father

2. The Disciples of Jesus

a) The Disciples fled

b) Peter denied Jesus three times (Matthew 26:69-75)

THE “NOW MOMENT” FOR ALL OF US

1. The Now Moment is:

a) A Test

b) A moment of Tribulation

2. Jesus was able to pass His “Now Moment”

a) He had prepared well

b) He had prayed much

c) He had strength of heart and mind

d) He was not overcome!

3. The Disciples of Jesus

a) They had not prepared well

b) They had not watched and prayed

c) They did not have much real strength

d) They were defeated

4. The Now Moment in the context of Covid-19

a) Let us be prepared in heart and mind for tough times ahead

b) Let us watch and pray diligently and faithfully

c) Let us be “more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37)

“MY TIME IS AT HAND”

Our times are truly in the LORD’s hand;
Wisdom teaches us to trust in God’s Plan.
Preparation of heart and mind must be made carefully;
The “Now Moment” of Testing will come upon us fiercely.

Jesus had prepared His heart and mind diligently;
He knew that His battle was against Satan ultimately.
He will cause people to stumble in every way possible;
He would resort to every means that he has available.

The Disciples were not prepared for the “Now Moment” at all;
They felt confident, for had they not responded to the Lord’s Call?
They had been with Jesus for three wonderful years;
They had learned much and surely there were no fears!

The Disciples had not reckoned well, the power of the Evil One;
He could cause them to stumble and from Jesus they would run!
The “Now Moment” can and will affect many adversely;
Victory is only through Watching and Praying earnestly!

Charles Tan
Inspiration: Matthew 26:17-75; Psalm 31:5, 15