I heard a really amazing talk at the Passion conference 2 years ago; the talk was done by Beth Moore and was about the Passover. It inspired me greatly and because of it I dove into a study about the Passover. This year I am reminded so much of it. The Passover is a REALLY cool things and its so neat to study. I’d LOVE to talk to you about it, theres a lot God revealed to me but we’re going to just talk about the main part that’s hitting my heart today.
Lets go to the last supper.
Keep in mind that Jesus knows whats about to happen. He knows Judas will betray him. He knows he will be arrested and crucified.
Jesus and the disciples gather around the table; They’re seated criss-cross applesauce on the floor next to one another. The table is set it full; the unleavened bread, the bitter herbs, the parsley, the wine, and the lamb. The lamb is on the table and at the table.
Alright we’re going to jump to the part I love. After the opening blessing they would begin to sing a call and response type hymn.
(whether Jesus did these exact words we don’t know for sure but this is what is custom to sing at Passover meals. Translated into English of course.)
If they stuck to customs this is how it would of gone.
Jesus: Had he brought us out of Egypt but not executed judgement against the enemies
All: Dayenu. [translates into it would have been enough]
Jesus: Had he given us their possessions but not divided the sea for us
All: it would have been enough
Jesus: Had he divided the sea for us but not brought us through it onto dry land
All: It would have been enough
Jesus: had he sustained us in the wilderness for 40 years but not fed us with manna
All: it would have been enough
Jesus: had he fed us manna but not given us the Sabbath
All: it would have been enough
Jesus: Had he given us the Sabbath but not brough us to Mt. Sinai All: it would have been enough
Jesus: had he brought us to Mt. Sinai but not given us the Torah
All: It would have been enough
Jesus: Had he given us the torah but not brought us into the land of isreal
All: it would have been enough
Jesus: Had he brought us into the land of isreal but not built us a temple
All: it would have been enough
Jesus: But how much more so multiplied many times over are the favors that God has bestowed on us.
But the reality is. God knew it would not have been enough. Something had to happen in those next hours that would be an answer to the question, ‘What would be enough?’ Jesus knew the significance of everything they were doing in the Last Supper because He was about to do it. The only way God will leave the cup in our hands is if it is absolutely crucial to what we are doing. This was the sole purpose for why He came. All days were made for this day; all time for this time.
Jesus knows all things; he knew it would not have been enough.
Had Jesus just been born to a virgin; as AMAZING and miraculous as that in itself is; it would not have been enough
Had he come to speak the very words of God; it would not have been enough
Had Jesus just caused the deaf to hear, the blind to see, and the mute to speak; it would not have been enough
Had he just called forth demons from the tortured and the possessed; it would not have been enough
Had he only raised the dead; it would not have been enough
Had he been scorned, mocked, spit upon, and bruised but not bled one single drop; it would not have been enough.
Nobody knew that better than Jesus.
The meal continues on and as they finish they sing a hymn and head to the garden. The hymns that they are referring to are the Hallel hymns. Psalms 113-118 are sung during this meal; so Psalm 118 would be the last one sung.
Okay look this is where it gets real cool.
First of all.
Imagine Jesus singing. Period.
Especially imagine him singing psalm 118 as he walks to the garden knowing he is about to be betrayed and arrested and head to his crucifixtion.
118:24 sticks out.
“This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
THIS day. He knows that within that day he will give his life; all days were made for this day.
…. I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Christ set us free from the bondage we live in. It is glad news. Yeah its good news but are we glad about it? Good is a condition; Glad is an emotion. Good is something happened; Glad is I have gotten it – I’ve received it.
Glad always has a why.
Someone asks you how you are… you say good. The conversation ends.
You say glad? They want to know why.
I am GLAD God knew nothing but Christ on that cross would be enough.
“I will redeem you with an outstretched arm.”
THAT IS ENOUGH.
And because that is enough.
He is enough.
And for that I am so glad.
