Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?"
At this time there is a plot underway by the high priest Caiaphas, chief priests, scribes, and community leaders to kill Jesus (Matt. 26:3). Jesus is well aware of this, and in God's economy of time, Christ's betrayal, arrest, kangaroo trial, execution, burial and resurrection, has already commenced. Judas Iscariot (one of the twelve disciples of Jesus) has agreed to betray Jesus to the conspirators for thirty pieces of silver (verses 14-16). Prophecy is fulfilled this day about the betrayal of Jesus spoken of in Zechariah 11:12-13:
Then I said to them, "If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain." So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter" - that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD for the potter.
Which brings us to the Passover Supper that will be forever known as The Last Supper of Christ. During this Passover meal, three important things take place:
Jesus identifies Judas Iscariot as His betrayer
Jesus Institutes the Lord's Supper
They sing the last Hallel and depart for the Mount of Olives
Numbers one and two are in the reading text above, and merit separate studies of their own. Today our focus is on number three. I have never heard much about this hymn, but since it may be the last song that the Son of Man sings before the end of His earthly life, let's check it out:
During Holy Week, the Jews sing praises and thanksgiving hymns from the Book of Psalms chapters 113-118. Nearing the end of the Week of Unleavened Bread (Passover) celebrations, the final hymn (Hallel) traditionally sung by Jews is Psalm 118. Although it is not named in the Bible as THE HYMN that Jesus and His disciples sing, Psalm 118 seems tailor-made for the end of the Passover meal this night.
Read the entire Psalm 118, as it has much to say about the Passion of Christ. It foretells Christ's suffering and His faith in the LORD through torture and death. The Hallel also praises God the Father for His mercy, goodness, and lasting light. Imagine Jesus and His disciples singing these passages as you read. Jesus knows exactly what this hymn means. The disciples understand the praises, for sure; but doubtful that they comprehend this prophetic account of what is in store for Jesus in a few short hours:
v.1- Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever...
vs.5-9 - I called on the LORD in distress; The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
vs. 12-18 They surrounded me like bees; they were quenched like a fire of thorns; for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. You pushed me violently, that I might fall, but the LORD healed me. The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly. The right hand of the LORD is exalted; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. The LORD has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death.
vs. 22-24 - The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This was the LORD's doing; It is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
vs. 27-29 God is the LORD, and He has given us light; bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will praise You; You are my God, I will exalt You. Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Have you noticed how many of these Hallel verses we sing today in our churches? God's Word stands forever! It is just as relevant today as it was almost 2,000 years ago.
Praise the LORD, Oh my Soul - Ohhh my Soul; Worship His Holy Name"
Thank you for following The Fragrance of Christ Blog. I hope this post is a sweet savor to the LORD, and a blessing to you.
May your Holy Resurrection Week be full of thankfulness, peace, love, joy, and the Light of Christ.
Blessings to All,
Sherron