SPECIAL DAYS: Maundy Thursday

April 1, 1999

LESSON: Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19; Exodus 12:1-14; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 6:48-58

SERMON TITLE: Washed in the Blood of the Lamb

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1. They were slaves longing to be free.

1. Freedom will come, but at a price.
2. Freedom will come but not before the hardness of heart of the head of the government is overcome.
1. This will take some doing.
1. He is determined to hold on
2. He is determined to use whatever means is necessary to maintain his strength.
2. The head of state and his people experienced 10 plagues
1. The first nine can be endured
1. Water turned to blood
2. Frogs cover the land
3. Gnats
4. Flies
5. Plague on livestock
6. Boils
7. Hail
8. Locusts
9. Darkness

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2. It is the tenth one that requires preparation.
1. To avoid the angel of death it was necessary to sprinkle the blood of a lamb on the top and sides of the door.
2. Those who did not did not escape.
3. Out of Passover comes the restriction that prevented the Hebrews from eating blood.
3. Yet Jesus said: (John 6:53-56 NRSV) So Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. [54] Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; [55] for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. [56] Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.
1. In the Communion Service inaugurated by Jesus in the upper room he said:
1. (Luke 22:19-20 NRSV) Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
2. [20] And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
2. What is emphasized is that:
1. (Hebrews 9:22 NRSV) Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
3. It is as if we live in a home that is threatened by the destroying angel.
1. We have nothing with which to protect ourselves.
2. We, in our symbolism, sprinkle the blood of Christ on the top and sides of the door.
3. In this way we are protected and found acceptable to God.
4. Truly the old songs are correct.
1. There is power in the blood
2. There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emanuel's veins.
1. And sinners plunge beneath the flood
2. Lose all their guilty stains.
3. At the cross
1. Alas and did my savior bleed...for sinners such as I
2. Was it for crimes that I have done, he groaned upon the tree?
3. Amazing pity! Grace unknown! And love beyond degree.
4. So we cherish the Old Rugged Cross.

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