Resurrection Sunday

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

let me hide myself in thee;

let the water and the blood,

from thy wounded side which flowed,

be of sin the double cure;

save from wrath and make me pure.

Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law's commands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.

The disciples sat down with Christ to the first night of Passover, the feast of unleavened bread, now tradionally Maundy Thursday, or better known as the Last Supper. A platter is passed around, called the Seder Plate. It has all the main symbols of Passover including such things as a green, leafy vegetable, reminding participants that Passover corresponds with Spring and new life (another cause for celebration) and a dish of bitter herbs representing the bitterness of slavery.

A blessing is said, the first cup of wine, the washing of hands, then the retelling of the Passover story. It was an occasion to remember the events and sing about them into the night. Just like wedding vows today are imprinted in our minds, the disciples had the celebration memorized, word for word. Jesus probably proceeded to give the standard introductory words recited by the one leading the blessings...and although I don't know the traditional script, he was expected to say something like,"take this bread, which symbolizes the slaughtered lamb, that saved your firstborns and may it be a promise to you of the coming deliverance that was prophesied to you in the days of old..." But no. He said, "Take this bread. It is my body, which is broken for you. My blood upon the doorpost can now deliver you. Drink it and it will bring life to your body. Forever after, think of me when you do these things."

Could there be anything more beautiful than this? The promise had finally arrived and they couldn't fully comprehend it! They were surely dumbfounded by his deviation from tradition...the plan that seems so obvious to us, was just now being unfolded for them in the most dramatic moment in history. Yet surely they did not see the big picture. Because they were just like me....Christ have mercy on me.

Because of his death and resurrection I am:

Made alive
Marked in Him with a seal
Enlightened to His incomparably great power
At peace
A fellow citizen of God's household
A dwelling place for His Spirit
Established in Love that surpasses knowledge


Adapted from my Easter blog last year (on myspace).