20/20 Vision
Matthew 26:17-29
They say that hindsight is 20/20. We make decisions on a daily basis not knowing exactly how they will turn out because we are on a deadline; we go ahead and make the decision. Then we often learn new information and had we known it at the time we might have made a different decision. Now that we have all of the facts we can see more clearly.
On the evening before the crucifixion was to take place, the Disciples, along with Jesus, gathered in the Upper Room. Several events would take place that night…
• They would prepare for the Passover
• Jesus would wash the feet of the disciples
• Jesus would identify Judas as the one who would betray Him
• He would give His last speech to the Disciples
• He instituted the Lord’s supper
At the close of the time when they received the bread, Jesus said, every time you do this, do this in remembrance of me.” That is what the crucifixion is about. This likely still puzzled several of the disciples---they were still trying to grasp that Jesus would be going away. It certainly troubled them because the words he was speaking were a bit like words we often speak at a funeral or memorial service. It’s a time when we look back and consider the life someone has lived; the highlights; what they stood for, what their legacy is and we honor them. But remember Jesus was speaking these words while He was still alive so they were a bit puzzled. What was it that Jesus would be remembered for?
1. He will always be remembered for the church He established. In Matthew 16 Jesus had come to the region of Caesarea Philippi and He asked His disciples---who do people say that I am? Some said He was john the Baptist, some said, Elijah; others said Jeremiah. He then said---who do you say I am? Peter replied, you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus saw great faith in Peter and said to Him---on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it! It was at that point that he then wanted His disciples NOT to tell anyone that He was the Christ.
There are numerous times when Jesus instructed people not to say that He was the Messiah. Most of them were times when Jesus just knew that it was not His time. The power players, following several of His miracles would then go out and plan a way to stop Jesus. Following the feeding of the 5000 Jesus had become extremely popular with the people and at the beginning of Holy Week they were ready to crown Him king. But the power in the church does not belong to the people. The power belongs to Jesus. It is His church, not ours.
Many times Jesus instructed them to tell everyone…to get out and share the gospel; in fact it was never His goal to keep His identity a secret. And at this point Jesus knew He was headed for Jerusalem and the cross. So why would He now tell them not to tell everyone? Personally I think it could be that there were those who would try to stop Jesus from moving toward the cross. Jesus now knew it was time and He was fully prepared.
2. Jesus will be remembered for what He has done for us on the cross. His birth changed all of history from B.C. to A.D. (in the year of our Lord.) He literally changed time. The next major event that change history would be His death on the cross. Without His death our sins cannot be forgiven; one cannot ide to sin and we cannot experience the peace that forgiveness offers to us. Dr. Billy Graham has said that he believes that while Jesus was on the cross you and I were on His mind. That Jesus was even calling out the names of those who would be saved. The cross is such a pivotal point in history where everything changed, absolutely everything and Jesus was saying to the apostles and to us, don’t ever forget it.
We see crosses every day. I’ve seen cell towers in the shape of a cross; we wear them as a necklace, hang them from the sun visor in our cars, cemeteries are covered with crosses; churches have them, some even think of them as a lucky charm---we adorn them with gold but the truth is the cross was a heavy, rugged piece of wood, designed for the sole purpose of executing those who were guilty of crimes they committed. They were not made for the innocent; but for the guilty. But Jesus wasn’t guilty of anything except loving people. He however took on the guilt of our sins, shed His precious blood for our sin and covered us and protected us from the fires of Hell. Why? Because God so loved. Love drove Him to the cross. If you remember anything, remember what Jesus did for you on the cross, especially today as we receive communion.
3. We will remember Him for the fact that He is the Christ. Now you are certainly aware that Jesus was not the only person to die on a cross. In fact He died with a thief on each side of Him. There were other form of punishment as well. John was banished to the Island of Patmos for sharing the gospel---which is where He received the Revelation from Jesus.
• Some had to serve as slaves
• Some were placed in prison
Crucifixion was reserved or those who had committed the worst of crimes. Murder, theft, criminal violence, rebellion against the government. Obviously crucifixion was the most painful, the most public…….they often were crucified on the side of the road for all who passed by to see; they were never done privately and death was horrible because eventually the individual would die from suffocation.
Jesus deserved none of this—He was innocent but it was God’s plan –to save mankind and God’s purpose to do it all at once and it was God’s provision to accomplish it through His only Son, Jesus Christ. So, Remember……
• Remember the Church
• Remember the Cross
• Remember the Christ…..as we receive these symbols of His body and blood today.
Prayer.
Today, we are very happy to once again be able to observe communion. Jesus told us to Remember Him and that is exactly what we want to do today.
