Walk with Jesus: Holy Week 2020-Thursday

This week, I'll be posting a study: Walk with Jesus: Holy Week 2020. You can download the entire study, or just visit this page every day. (If you download the pdf, you should be able to print it 2 pages to a sheet (8.5 x 11) if you set it to landscape.)
We'll journey through Israel, pausing to read and reflect at various events of His life and ministry. These events took place at specific locations, so you’ll learn a bit about Israel in 30AD, too. There are questions to inspire you to meditate on your response to Jesus’ ministry and how that may be different this year due to self-isolation and social distancing. After completing the daily study, take time to reflect and journal on the questions. If you are doing this study with friends, share you insights with each other. Each session has an activity to do as well to help you move faith into action.
Close each session with the prayer in the lesson.

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus, walk with me and open my heart to what you would have me learn from these lessons. Amen.

Rule of Christ (Thursday): Jerusalem (Passover/Last Supper)

Passover was the one time of the year when faithful Jews sought to travel to Jerusalem.  Even those living far from Judea planned to make the trip to Jerusalem at least once in their life. Every spring a hundred thousand pilgrims thronged the city. All work ceased at noon on the day of the Passover. Men bought a ritual lamb from the Temple merchants to have it killed by the priests at the proper time. Three hours after noon, the shofar announced the beginning of the sacrifices.

Roman authority looked down on this display of religious fervor with a watchful eye. The governor and centurions were very aware that minor incidents could quickly escalate into major riots in the climate of anticipation and remembrance. Every year talk of Messiah circulated. Jesus’ arrival was greeted with songs of praise. The crowds were caught up in the religious and national fervor as they welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem.

How would have reacted to news that the famous rabbi was coming?

Is your heart at peace or do you find yourself trying to have a ‘normal’ Easter, at an unprecedented time?

Jerusalem has been the capital of Israel for over a thousand years, since King David established his government within the walls. The city has seen many rulers come and go. Conquerors marched through the streets and tore down the walls. Each time, the Jews rebuilt the city with a faith that amazed their Gentile neighbors. Twelve gates surrounded the city. They were all shut at sunset when the Sabbath began so that no one could break the Law by conducting business within the walls on the holy day. Mud brick houses crammed the narrow streets. The main road from the Temple to the city gate was paved with stones but most of the streets were packed dirt. Thousands of sandal shod feet raised a cloud of dust over the city, which only settled after dark as people went to their camps and homes.

With a nod to the patronage of Mark Anthony, Herod the Great built the Fortress of Antonia on the north side of the Temple. This housed the Roman cohort and governor, to the despair of devout Jews. Gentiles could gaze into the holy precincts even during religious celebrations. This led to riots such as the violence when the Roman standard was placed on the very entrance to the Temple. The governor wisely ordered the eagle removed to placate the populace.

Read  Matthew 23:37-39

Jesus mourns over the Holy City, while chiding the leaders for “killing the prophets”. In what ways are we blind to the prophets among us?

Is it comforting to know that God desires to gather all God’s children together?

Shining in the sunlight and visible above the city walls sat the Temple. It dominated the capital from the high ground on the eastern side of Jerusalem. Herod the Great doubled the size of the old temple built by Solomon. The walls were made of golden limestone. This grand edifice, home of the worship of ADONAI, is the center of all Jewish religious and national pride. The priests and Temple scribes worked hard to maintain a favorable association with the Roman occupiers.

Read  Matthew 24:1-2

Jesus was not impressed by the magnificence of the Temple. Can we become blinded by appearances and not see the truth?

How do you feel at this time when traditions you hold dear are changed or missing?

The Market in Jerusalem was busy with the influx of the crowds for Passover. The many herbs and ingredients for the special meal were available for purchase, but sales must be completed at sundown when the shofar announces the beginning of Passover. Jesus and his disciples kept this tradition, and Jesus gave it a new and deeper meaning by linking it to his coming death.

Read  Matthew 26:20-29

Have you ever betrayed Our Lord, or do you feel betrayed because of uncertainty of life right now?

Jesus institutes the Last Supper (Holy Communion/Eucharist). When you receive the bread and wine, do you stop to think that it is a gift showing God’s love?

Take Action:

Make haroseth, or unleavened bread.

Pray through the Passover service, imagining being present with Jesus at the Last Supper. 

(Here's the recipe and service, if you didn't download the entire study.)

Today’s Prayer:

Living Christ, open my eyes to see your truth and my ears to hear your prophets amid the clamor and glamor of the world so that I may turn to you in the midst of worry and fear. Jesus, Prophet & Rabbi, here is my heart, cleanse it for service and praise of you each day so that I may welcome your love with joy. Amen.

 Prayer for Maundy Thursday:

Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.