Skip to main content

274. Moving Out

Psalm 118, Matthew 26:30, Luke 22:35-38, John 14:31
Key Verse: When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Matthew 26:40

As part of the Seder dinner, the participants recite, or read the Psalms known as the "Hallel" Psalms. 113-118. I have not devoted time to these Psalms or their placement within the dinner so as to keep the flow of the story going as simply as possible. However, Psalm 118, is the last Psalm sung. Probably, when Matthew mentions that they sung a hymn and then left, he was referring to this Psalm, which is a Psalm that recounts God's deliverance of His people and the strength that He gives and the promise of salvation to come.

At the Seder meal, there is usually an extra place setting, left untouched in the hopes that one of their great prophets out of their past, Elijah, will come and join them at the meal. Since Elijah had been taken to heaven in a fiery chariot and had not tasted death, (2 Kings 2:11-12) it was thought that he could still return to become a part of present history. It is hoped that Elijah can deliver them from their present troubles. Whether this was part of Jesus' last Seder or not is unknown, but the hope for a deliverer to appear, would certainly be there.

It is interesting that, before they leave the room, Jesus, their true deliverer, now gives them new instructions about the possibility of the need to protect themselves. "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything? But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." (Luke 22:35-36) Again, Jesus knows that He is leaving them in a hostile environment where they will be considered the outlaws. That is how He can be considered, "Numbered with the transgressors." (Luke 22:37 & Isaiah 53:12)

So now, they sing together the last Psalm. "O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord we bless You. The Lord is God and He has made His light shine upon us. You are my God, and I will give You thanks; You are my God; and I will exalt You. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." (Psalm 118:25-27A, 28-29)

Then, they found two swords to take with them, which the Lord said was enough. (Luke 22:38) Notice, that Jesus believed that two swords among the twelve of them was "enough." They were not to rely on defending themselves with the sword, but rely first on God for their deliverance and protection. "Come now; let us leave," Jesus said, (John 14:31B) and they went out into the night.

Hymn: "Shalom"

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

258. "Remember, Always Remember!"

Exodus 12:1-30 Key Verse: "This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord a lasting ordinance." Exodus 12:14 "Celebrate the feast of unleavened bread, because it was on this very day that I brought your divisions out of Egypt. Celebrate this day as a lasting ordinance for the generations to come." (Exodus 12:17) "And when your children ask you, "What does this ceremony mean to you?" then tell them, "It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when He struck down the Egyptians." (Exodus 12:27) The original act was an act of worship as the first true act of freedom for the people of Israel. They had been brought to Egypt by Joseph during a time of famine so that through Joseph God could preserve their lives. ( Genesis 37 , & 39-50 ) After Joseph died, however, instead of heading back to C...
Post a Comment
Read more

August 13 What Is Fitting

It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury—how much less for a slave to rule over princes! ~Proverbs 19:10   On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man!” Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. ~Acts 12:21-23  Wow! Well, what in the world can there be to benefit us here? First of all, perhaps we should review the first Biblical definition of a fool, penned by no other than Solomon’s Father, David himself. “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” (Psalm 14:1 and Psalm 53:1) It is not fitting for the fool to live the blessed life. Why should they when they deny from whom all blessings flow?  King Herod was a fool. Now, just to be clear, this is not the Herod who ruled at Jesus’ birth and ordered the slaughter of the male children in Bethlehem. He ...
Post a Comment
Read more

July 26 Time for A Wellness Check Up

This too is a grievous evil: As a man comes, so he departs, and what does he gain, since he toils for the wind? All his days he eats in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger. Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work, this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart. ~Ecclesiastes 5:16-20  I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret to being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everythi...
Post a Comment
Read more