The Gospel

Mr Bill and I will host our family this weekend for an Easter gathering. As hosts, there is much to do: sweep, cook, mow – yes, we’ve been at-it! On Thursday of His final week, Jesus and His disciples shared the Passover meal, and yes, there were planning and preparations to be done.  “Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Where will You have us prepare for You to eat the Passover?’” (Matthew 26:17).  In the following verses, it is clearly Jesus Himself Who is “in charge.”  This wasn’t just any Passover; it wasn’t about those who would share the meal. No this Passover was about Jesus!  Throughout the meal, we see Jesus as the host: washes feet, serving and blessing the bread and the wine. (Matthew 26:19-29). Jesus was also the Guest of Honor – the Unleavened Bread, the spotless Lamb without blemish. “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” (Matthew 3:1).  There is none worthy to be the Honored One than the Apostle, the High Priest, the Son, the Christ.  What we do in remembrance today, Jesus portrayed there with the twelve what was about to take place on Golgotha: a willing offering of His own blood sprinkled on the Mercy Seat of God, the broken Bread, the poured out Cup as our kinsman Redeemer.  “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split.” (Matthew 27:50-51).  Done! Finished! Complete! God’s wrath against sin satisfied.  Access to The Father secured for all who believe.  An empty tomb.  A living Savior.  You see, Jesus is The Sacrifice, The Broken Bread, The Poured Out Cup, The Risen Savior.  This is The Gospel – The Gospel is Christ.  This is why we celebrate!