The institution of the covenant meal for both Jews and Christians
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series V, Cycle B
Theme For The Day: The institution of the covenant meal for both Jews and Christians.
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 12:1--4 (5--10) 11--14 (C); Exodus 12:1--8 (11--14) (RC); Exodus 12:1--14a (E)
This contains the priestly tradition concerning the institution of the Passover, the covenant feast of the Hebrew people. The Passover took over a more ancient springtime agricultural festival, infusing it with fresh content. The month of Nisan (March--April) in which the feast took place marked the beginning of the year for the post--exilic Jews. Formerly, the year commenced in the autumn. The various clans congregated in the evening for the feast. The blood was considered the proper portion for God, since it was identified with the life--force. The blood on the door post and lintel was a reminder of Yahweh's saving power. They were ordered to eat the meal fully clothed, with walking staff in hand. This was a token of the haste with which they exited Egypt. The people of Israel are ordered to keep this feast as a memorial to Yahweh's wonderful redemptive actions, which made them a people.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 11:23--26 (C, RC); 1 Corinthians 11:23--26 (27--32) (E)
The institution of the Lord's Supper appears within the context of the apostle Paul dressing down the Corinthians for abusing the Lord's Supper. In recalling this direct verba from the Lord, the apostle wishes to impress upon the unruly Corinthians the sacredness of the Eucharist's origins. The church members are to remember the roots of the church's meal and observe it with reverence. The verse about profaning the Lord's Supper (v. 27) has been widely misunderstood. Discerning the Lord's body has to do with recognizing the Lord's presence in the more humble and lowly members of the church.
Gospel: John 13:1--17, 31b--35 (C); John 13:1--15 (RC, E)
John's version of the Last Supper. The Words of Institution are not cited by the fourth gospel. Rather, John uses it as a springboard for Jesus washing his disciple's feet. The footwashing becomes a living parable which teaches humility. It illustrates the hymn to Christ's humility found in Philippians 2, our Second Lesson for Passion Sunday. Jesus, the Master and teacher, assumes the role of the servant. This action serves as a great teaching moment. The disciples of Jesus are not to lord it over others but stoop to serve others, as the Lord has served them.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 116:1--4, 12--19 (C) - "I love the Lord because he has heard my cry for mercy" (v. 1).
Psalm 115 (RC)
Psalm 78:14--20, 23--25 (E)
Prayer Of The Day
God of mercy, with tears we call to remembrance the night in which you were betrayed, when you gave yourself to your disciples under the forms of bread and wine and stooped to wash their feet. May our hearts be so transformed by your self--giving love that we allow ourselves to be broken for others. In Jesus' name. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 12:1--14
A new year (vv. 1--2). The Passover marked a new way of measuring time and looking at time. God's great act of redemption was the birthing point for the Hebrew nation. Older calendars followed the agricultural cycles. The Jews came to realize that the times of their lives did not revolve around nature but God's nurturing and saving action. An analogous event for us Christians is Christ's resurrection. For us this event marks the beginning of a new way of looking at time and of eternity. Theologically speaking, our church year should probably begin with Easter rather than Advent.
The lamb is for sharing (v. 4). The lamb of the Passover meal was not to be wasted but no one was to be deprived of a portion, no matter what his economic circumstances. The Passover lamb was for sharing. For us Christians, Jesus is the Lamb of God and we are to see to it that all our neighbors are invited to his feast. They too need to receive the Lamb, so that they might be a part of God's redemptive fellowship and be strengthened for their life's journey.
Blood brothers and sisters (v. 13). God told the Hebrews to put the blood on their doorposts and frames so that when he saw it, the angel of death would pass over. Those covered by the blood were blood brothers and sisters. Christians are also blood relatives, blood brothers and sisters, covered and protected by the blood of Christ.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 11:23--26
Pass it on (v. 23). Paul claims that the tradition of the Lord's Supper is not something which he has concocted but that which he has himself received from the Lord. He feels that his calling is to pass on to others that which he has received. Knowledge of God's redemptive actions has been passed on to us as a gift. Our duty and privilege consists in passing it on to others.
Broken for you (v. 24). Jesus' body was broken like bread for you and for me. The great God whom we worship in Jesus Christ gives himself to us and for us. The Lord's Supper is the most personal of God's gifts.
Gospel: John 13:1--17, 31b--35
Lasting love (v. 1). The RSV translation has it that Jesus loved his disciples "to the end." This communicates the extent of his love better than the NRSV's "he now showed them the full extent of his love." The love of God in Jesus is endless love, a lasting love; further still, he loves us with an everlasting love. This is a love that goes with us all the way.
Circle of love (v. 3). John states that Jesus had "come from God and was returning to God." Jesus was going full circle. Jesus comes as an incarnation of the eternal life of God, without beginning and ending. If you take the beginning and end of a line and connect them together, you have a circle. That's what God does for us in Christ. He connects the beginning and ending of our lives together and places our lives within the eternal circle of his love and grace.
Imitation of Christ (v. 15). Jesus told his disciples that they should love one another after the fashion that he has loved them. Children learn by imitation; we call it play. Play is not some frivolous waste of time, it is practice time in which the youngsters strive to put into practice that which they have observed in their elders. A good and godly example is needed now more than ever. The world contains enough precepts and philosophies; what we really need are worthy models to imitate.
Love is an imperative (v. 34). Jesus commands his disciples to love one another, a new command for a new covenant. Oh, yes, the old covenant commands God's people to love their neighbor (fellow Jew) but Jesus goes much further. He commands us to love one another in the manner in which he has shone his love for us. He holds up a love that goes all the way in pouring oneself out. In our society, to make love an imperative (command) seems strange. Common understanding has it that love flows from feelings. It just happens or it doesn't happen, we are told. No, love is an imperative, controlled by our will. Jesus didn't feel like dying on the cross, he was merely obeying the imperative of his Father to love the world.
SERMON APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 12:1--14
Sermon Title: An Evening Meal For A New Day
Sermon Angle: Moses ordered the people to slaughter their lambs at twilight. The Passover was an evening meal that marked the beginning of a new day, a new era. The night of judgment was at hand (v. 12). A new day was about to dawn which would reveal God's great act of redemption. The Lord's Supper also marked the end of one day and the beginning of another. The old day of judgment had ended, a new day of grace and love had begun.
Outline:
1. The Passover was an evening meal that led to a new day of freedom.
2. The Lord's Supper was also an evening meal that led to
- A new day of grace and forgiveness.
- A new covenant.
- A new people.
Sermon Title: Celebrate The Feast
Sermon Angle: The Passover was a great feast of celebration. God had won for the Israelites their freedom. Passover was like the Fourth of July for those of us who are Americans; it marked the defeat of their enemy and the birth of their nation. It celebrated the truth that they were one nation under God. The Lord's Supper is a greater feast yet. It marks our liberation from the minions of sin and a community of love and grace that knows no boundaries.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 11:23--26
Sermon Title: The Sermon Of God's Saints
Sermon Angle: Not many Christians would feel comfortable preaching a sermon but that is what we do nonetheless. Our lives preach a sermon which either glorifies our self or our God. Paul claims that when we partake of the Lord's Supper, we preach a sermon; the Eucharist is a communal proclamation. What is the content of the message?
Outline:
1. We proclaim the Lord's real presence ("This is my body...my blood").
2. We proclaim the forgiveness of sins.
3. We proclaim the Lord's death and resurrection (v. 26).
4. We proclaim Christ's coming again (v. 26).
Gospel: John 13:1--17, 31b--35
Sermon Title: When Parting Is Sweet Sorrow
Sermon Angle: Jesus realized that it was time to leave those whom he had loved on earth and return to the Father. Parting is never easy but it can indeed be sweet when we love people completely and fully. Jesus left his disciples in the knowledge that he had loved them to the end, to the fullest extent possible. None of us can ever say that we have accomplished that completely. It is the incompleteness of our loving and living that makes death a bitter pill to swallow. To know that we could have loved but didn't is what truly brings tears to our eyes. Jesus' parting sorrow was sweet because "he had shown them the full extent of his love" (v. 1).
Sermon Title: "How To" Christianity
Sermon Angle: "How to" books are the hottest items in the bookstores. How to lose weight, how to cook, how to become successful, how to overcome guilt, and so forth. Shortly before the Passover, Jesus gave his disciples a crash "how to" course in being his disciples. He washed his disciples' feet and afterward told them that they should do to others as he had done for them. This is how you love, he was saying, this is how you serve. Do this and you will know how to be my disciple. It's interesting that when the sand had almost emptied out of the hourglass for Jesus, he didn't give a crash course on dogmatics. Just a simple yet profound "how to" demonstration on loving and serving.
Outline:
1. Establish the popularity of "how to" books.
2. We would rather have a personal guide rather than a road map.
3. Jesus gave a "how to" demonstration when he washed his disciples' feet.
- How to love and serve.
- How to truly be his disciples.
4. We must demonstrate to others how they might be Christ's disciples too.
Sermon Title: Knowing And Doing
Sermon Angle: After Jesus had finished washing their feet he said: "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them" (v. 17). Knowing something and doing it are two different things. The truth that Jesus spoke, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free," remains. However, having knowledge does not mean that one will benefit from the knowledge or use it. We can know a lot of useful things but unless we do them, we gain no benefit. Jesus told his disciples, "Now you know what to do but you will only gain a blessing if you actually do it."
Outline:
1. Jesus showed his followers how to function as his disciples.
2. The key was serving and loving.
3. The doing is more difficult than the knowing - it requires humility.
4. We will be blessed if we do what Jesus has taught us.
__________
The church can get caught up in our world's success syndrome, where success is defined in terms of size and prominence. Jesus informs us that service rather than size more accurately defines what it means to be his disciples.
If you happen to visit the Chicago metropolitan area on a Sunday, you are likely to encounter school buses, some rather rickety looking, with the inscription on the side: First (Blank) Church, and then underneath the name, "The World's Largest Sunday School."
The claim is probably true. They have a fleet of buses, drivers and mechanics larger than many school districts. They have established routes all over the metro area and beyond. Some parents probably like it because they have their Sundays to themselves, free baby--sitting. Kids like it. They meet new friends and have something to do. First (Blank) Church may do a lot of good with their Sunday School busing program but their motto, "The World's Largest Sunday School," really bothers me. It causes me to ask, "Is the aim of this church to bring children to Christ or is this an ego trip?" It seems that they are saying: We're the First (Blank) Church and we're number 1, the World's Largest Sunday School. Hooray for us! My reaction could be overly judgmental but it appears to me that this motto better reflects the values of the world, which glories in size and preeminence rather than the values of the kingdom.
__________
There's a doll produced in St. Louis without a face. In place of the face is a mirror. The child looks into the face of her doll and sees a reflection of herself. Some psychologists argue that this is a good teaching tool but is this not an example of the problem that plagues far too many people? Wherever they turn, whatever situation they happen to be in, they see a refection of themselves. They constantly ask: What's in this relationship for me? How can involvement in this group give me the recognition I deserve? In other words, those who live in a house of mirrors ask themselves: "How can I get somebody to serve my needs?" rather than asking "How can I serve others in the name of Christ?"
BRIEF COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 12:1--4 (5--10) 11--14 (C); Exodus 12:1--8 (11--14) (RC); Exodus 12:1--14a (E)
This contains the priestly tradition concerning the institution of the Passover, the covenant feast of the Hebrew people. The Passover took over a more ancient springtime agricultural festival, infusing it with fresh content. The month of Nisan (March--April) in which the feast took place marked the beginning of the year for the post--exilic Jews. Formerly, the year commenced in the autumn. The various clans congregated in the evening for the feast. The blood was considered the proper portion for God, since it was identified with the life--force. The blood on the door post and lintel was a reminder of Yahweh's saving power. They were ordered to eat the meal fully clothed, with walking staff in hand. This was a token of the haste with which they exited Egypt. The people of Israel are ordered to keep this feast as a memorial to Yahweh's wonderful redemptive actions, which made them a people.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 11:23--26 (C, RC); 1 Corinthians 11:23--26 (27--32) (E)
The institution of the Lord's Supper appears within the context of the apostle Paul dressing down the Corinthians for abusing the Lord's Supper. In recalling this direct verba from the Lord, the apostle wishes to impress upon the unruly Corinthians the sacredness of the Eucharist's origins. The church members are to remember the roots of the church's meal and observe it with reverence. The verse about profaning the Lord's Supper (v. 27) has been widely misunderstood. Discerning the Lord's body has to do with recognizing the Lord's presence in the more humble and lowly members of the church.
Gospel: John 13:1--17, 31b--35 (C); John 13:1--15 (RC, E)
John's version of the Last Supper. The Words of Institution are not cited by the fourth gospel. Rather, John uses it as a springboard for Jesus washing his disciple's feet. The footwashing becomes a living parable which teaches humility. It illustrates the hymn to Christ's humility found in Philippians 2, our Second Lesson for Passion Sunday. Jesus, the Master and teacher, assumes the role of the servant. This action serves as a great teaching moment. The disciples of Jesus are not to lord it over others but stoop to serve others, as the Lord has served them.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 116:1--4, 12--19 (C) - "I love the Lord because he has heard my cry for mercy" (v. 1).
Psalm 115 (RC)
Psalm 78:14--20, 23--25 (E)
Prayer Of The Day
God of mercy, with tears we call to remembrance the night in which you were betrayed, when you gave yourself to your disciples under the forms of bread and wine and stooped to wash their feet. May our hearts be so transformed by your self--giving love that we allow ourselves to be broken for others. In Jesus' name. Amen.
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 12:1--14
A new year (vv. 1--2). The Passover marked a new way of measuring time and looking at time. God's great act of redemption was the birthing point for the Hebrew nation. Older calendars followed the agricultural cycles. The Jews came to realize that the times of their lives did not revolve around nature but God's nurturing and saving action. An analogous event for us Christians is Christ's resurrection. For us this event marks the beginning of a new way of looking at time and of eternity. Theologically speaking, our church year should probably begin with Easter rather than Advent.
The lamb is for sharing (v. 4). The lamb of the Passover meal was not to be wasted but no one was to be deprived of a portion, no matter what his economic circumstances. The Passover lamb was for sharing. For us Christians, Jesus is the Lamb of God and we are to see to it that all our neighbors are invited to his feast. They too need to receive the Lamb, so that they might be a part of God's redemptive fellowship and be strengthened for their life's journey.
Blood brothers and sisters (v. 13). God told the Hebrews to put the blood on their doorposts and frames so that when he saw it, the angel of death would pass over. Those covered by the blood were blood brothers and sisters. Christians are also blood relatives, blood brothers and sisters, covered and protected by the blood of Christ.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 11:23--26
Pass it on (v. 23). Paul claims that the tradition of the Lord's Supper is not something which he has concocted but that which he has himself received from the Lord. He feels that his calling is to pass on to others that which he has received. Knowledge of God's redemptive actions has been passed on to us as a gift. Our duty and privilege consists in passing it on to others.
Broken for you (v. 24). Jesus' body was broken like bread for you and for me. The great God whom we worship in Jesus Christ gives himself to us and for us. The Lord's Supper is the most personal of God's gifts.
Gospel: John 13:1--17, 31b--35
Lasting love (v. 1). The RSV translation has it that Jesus loved his disciples "to the end." This communicates the extent of his love better than the NRSV's "he now showed them the full extent of his love." The love of God in Jesus is endless love, a lasting love; further still, he loves us with an everlasting love. This is a love that goes with us all the way.
Circle of love (v. 3). John states that Jesus had "come from God and was returning to God." Jesus was going full circle. Jesus comes as an incarnation of the eternal life of God, without beginning and ending. If you take the beginning and end of a line and connect them together, you have a circle. That's what God does for us in Christ. He connects the beginning and ending of our lives together and places our lives within the eternal circle of his love and grace.
Imitation of Christ (v. 15). Jesus told his disciples that they should love one another after the fashion that he has loved them. Children learn by imitation; we call it play. Play is not some frivolous waste of time, it is practice time in which the youngsters strive to put into practice that which they have observed in their elders. A good and godly example is needed now more than ever. The world contains enough precepts and philosophies; what we really need are worthy models to imitate.
Love is an imperative (v. 34). Jesus commands his disciples to love one another, a new command for a new covenant. Oh, yes, the old covenant commands God's people to love their neighbor (fellow Jew) but Jesus goes much further. He commands us to love one another in the manner in which he has shone his love for us. He holds up a love that goes all the way in pouring oneself out. In our society, to make love an imperative (command) seems strange. Common understanding has it that love flows from feelings. It just happens or it doesn't happen, we are told. No, love is an imperative, controlled by our will. Jesus didn't feel like dying on the cross, he was merely obeying the imperative of his Father to love the world.
SERMON APPROACHES WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
Lesson 1: Exodus 12:1--14
Sermon Title: An Evening Meal For A New Day
Sermon Angle: Moses ordered the people to slaughter their lambs at twilight. The Passover was an evening meal that marked the beginning of a new day, a new era. The night of judgment was at hand (v. 12). A new day was about to dawn which would reveal God's great act of redemption. The Lord's Supper also marked the end of one day and the beginning of another. The old day of judgment had ended, a new day of grace and love had begun.
Outline:
1. The Passover was an evening meal that led to a new day of freedom.
2. The Lord's Supper was also an evening meal that led to
- A new day of grace and forgiveness.
- A new covenant.
- A new people.
Sermon Title: Celebrate The Feast
Sermon Angle: The Passover was a great feast of celebration. God had won for the Israelites their freedom. Passover was like the Fourth of July for those of us who are Americans; it marked the defeat of their enemy and the birth of their nation. It celebrated the truth that they were one nation under God. The Lord's Supper is a greater feast yet. It marks our liberation from the minions of sin and a community of love and grace that knows no boundaries.
Lesson 2: 1 Corinthians 11:23--26
Sermon Title: The Sermon Of God's Saints
Sermon Angle: Not many Christians would feel comfortable preaching a sermon but that is what we do nonetheless. Our lives preach a sermon which either glorifies our self or our God. Paul claims that when we partake of the Lord's Supper, we preach a sermon; the Eucharist is a communal proclamation. What is the content of the message?
Outline:
1. We proclaim the Lord's real presence ("This is my body...my blood").
2. We proclaim the forgiveness of sins.
3. We proclaim the Lord's death and resurrection (v. 26).
4. We proclaim Christ's coming again (v. 26).
Gospel: John 13:1--17, 31b--35
Sermon Title: When Parting Is Sweet Sorrow
Sermon Angle: Jesus realized that it was time to leave those whom he had loved on earth and return to the Father. Parting is never easy but it can indeed be sweet when we love people completely and fully. Jesus left his disciples in the knowledge that he had loved them to the end, to the fullest extent possible. None of us can ever say that we have accomplished that completely. It is the incompleteness of our loving and living that makes death a bitter pill to swallow. To know that we could have loved but didn't is what truly brings tears to our eyes. Jesus' parting sorrow was sweet because "he had shown them the full extent of his love" (v. 1).
Sermon Title: "How To" Christianity
Sermon Angle: "How to" books are the hottest items in the bookstores. How to lose weight, how to cook, how to become successful, how to overcome guilt, and so forth. Shortly before the Passover, Jesus gave his disciples a crash "how to" course in being his disciples. He washed his disciples' feet and afterward told them that they should do to others as he had done for them. This is how you love, he was saying, this is how you serve. Do this and you will know how to be my disciple. It's interesting that when the sand had almost emptied out of the hourglass for Jesus, he didn't give a crash course on dogmatics. Just a simple yet profound "how to" demonstration on loving and serving.
Outline:
1. Establish the popularity of "how to" books.
2. We would rather have a personal guide rather than a road map.
3. Jesus gave a "how to" demonstration when he washed his disciples' feet.
- How to love and serve.
- How to truly be his disciples.
4. We must demonstrate to others how they might be Christ's disciples too.
Sermon Title: Knowing And Doing
Sermon Angle: After Jesus had finished washing their feet he said: "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them" (v. 17). Knowing something and doing it are two different things. The truth that Jesus spoke, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free," remains. However, having knowledge does not mean that one will benefit from the knowledge or use it. We can know a lot of useful things but unless we do them, we gain no benefit. Jesus told his disciples, "Now you know what to do but you will only gain a blessing if you actually do it."
Outline:
1. Jesus showed his followers how to function as his disciples.
2. The key was serving and loving.
3. The doing is more difficult than the knowing - it requires humility.
4. We will be blessed if we do what Jesus has taught us.
__________
The church can get caught up in our world's success syndrome, where success is defined in terms of size and prominence. Jesus informs us that service rather than size more accurately defines what it means to be his disciples.
If you happen to visit the Chicago metropolitan area on a Sunday, you are likely to encounter school buses, some rather rickety looking, with the inscription on the side: First (Blank) Church, and then underneath the name, "The World's Largest Sunday School."
The claim is probably true. They have a fleet of buses, drivers and mechanics larger than many school districts. They have established routes all over the metro area and beyond. Some parents probably like it because they have their Sundays to themselves, free baby--sitting. Kids like it. They meet new friends and have something to do. First (Blank) Church may do a lot of good with their Sunday School busing program but their motto, "The World's Largest Sunday School," really bothers me. It causes me to ask, "Is the aim of this church to bring children to Christ or is this an ego trip?" It seems that they are saying: We're the First (Blank) Church and we're number 1, the World's Largest Sunday School. Hooray for us! My reaction could be overly judgmental but it appears to me that this motto better reflects the values of the world, which glories in size and preeminence rather than the values of the kingdom.
__________
There's a doll produced in St. Louis without a face. In place of the face is a mirror. The child looks into the face of her doll and sees a reflection of herself. Some psychologists argue that this is a good teaching tool but is this not an example of the problem that plagues far too many people? Wherever they turn, whatever situation they happen to be in, they see a refection of themselves. They constantly ask: What's in this relationship for me? How can involvement in this group give me the recognition I deserve? In other words, those who live in a house of mirrors ask themselves: "How can I get somebody to serve my needs?" rather than asking "How can I serve others in the name of Christ?"
