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April 6 & 7, 2023 — Maundy Thursday and Good Friday
By Rev. Bob Dean
Some churches observe both holy days with congregational worship, others only one (perhaps joining in a community worship service on the other). To cover the two days, I’ve sought to give brief insight on each scripture lesson, along with some considerations or starter questions to help you discern what will fit your situation.
Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14 gives the story of the first Passover – a liberating yet frightening passage where God kills the firstborn of the oppressors - and Moses leads the people to freedom. It is background that Christians should know about the source of the Passover event and the yearly festival of our faith roots in the Jewish faith.
But, we should exercise care when teaching. The Seder Meal is an area for special caution. One of the meanings of appreciate is to value something. On the other hand, the roots of appropriate come from Latin from ad-proprius meaning “make one’s own” or, more literally, to take or grab something from someone else.
While the command to observe what we call the Passover meal is given in the Hebrew Bible (our Old Testament), we should beware of taking that connection out of context. Informing a congregation that the Exodus passage is the root of both the meal Jesus observed with his disciples (and gave two portions of it new meaning) is to help the congregation appreciate that heritage. Simply saying “We can do this, too” is a form of appropriation.
While best learned in a cooperative setting (e.g. with a rabbi, or observed to gain insight at the invitation of Jewish friends), that may not be possible in all our settings (especially rural). Please learn all you can before making a decision about how you will teach about the Passover meal. The Passover (Hebrew Pesach) this year begins before sundown on April 5th and ends after sundown on April 13th. (1)
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 contains the promise that the death of his loved ones is “precious” (Alternate translations include “costly” and “of deep consequence”). As Jesus’ death approached, this may have been one of the scriptures he knew that brought comfort and strength. What passages bring you (and members of your congregation) comfort and strength?
1st Corinthians 11:23-26 is, in chronological terms, the first recording of what we call the Last or Lord’s Supper. Paul describes the passing on of this faith tradition (sacrament) in the first verse. Invite the people to reflect on those who passed the faith on to them, and those to whom they have passed the faith. With some forms of Christianity emphasizing only the victorious and prosperous life, it is worth noting that the Apostle Paul’s description of this event is as a way to “proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes”. There is no new life without death – to ego, to pride, and ultimately to this life.
John 13:1-17, 31b-35 deals with the absence of a servant. Normally a servant would wash the feet of guests invited to a home for a meal. There is no servant in the borrowed upper room. None of the disciples (perhaps bothered by a running dispute of who was greatest – the Gospel of Luke reports this argument breaking out immediately after the supper) want to humble themselves and do it. But Jesus humbles himself, assuming the servant’s role.
Peter refuses to let Jesus wash his feet. We can’t know Peter’s motives for sure, but perhaps he had been one of the disciples claiming to be the greatest. Perhaps he felt ashamed of his pride, which now glaring in great contrast to Jesus’ humbleness. Perhaps he judged himself as unworthy of Jesus’ attention. Whatever his reasons, Peter once again rebukes the Lord.
Do we keep ourselves from being cleansed, helped, or made whole from pride or from embarrassment? Neither is helpful in any relationship, including that with our Lord. Invite people to come to Jesus, and by his love and his Spirit, “come clean” with God.
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
These readings pick up the suffering servant themes of the latter portion of the book of Isaiah. While the interpretation among current Christian and Jewish scholars differs (both within as well as between the two groups), a knowledge of both (for yourself and for your congregation) can prove healthy. (2)
Psalm 22
This psalm includes the words of Jesus on the cross. It lifts up Jesus’ sense of separation from his divine source, his alienation and loneliness. Yet this Psalm also includes a message of hope (vs. 19-31). A divided reading (vs. 1-18, then a hymn or the reflection, followed by vs. 19-31) might be an effective way to fully embrace the suffering, yet lift up the hope within the Psalm – which perhaps was within our Lord at one and the same time. When have you (your congregation) felt both?
Hebrews 10:16-25
The use of the word covenant in vs. 16 could connect to elements of Wesleyan Covenant Service in this setting. It is also a chance to note this is the author’s second quotation of Jeremiah 31:33 (see Heb. 8:10), and it’s a promise to the Hebrew people. A link to a more in-depth look at the Jeremiah passage is below. (3)
Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
“The highlight of the Yom Kippur Temple service was the convergence of the holiest elements of time, space, and life form. On the holiest day of the year, the holiest person — the High Priest — entered the holiest place on earth, the Holy of Holy chamber in the Temple sanctuary, where he would pray on behalf of all his Jewish brethren and secure their atonement.” (4)
John 18:1-19:42
The full passage could be read – perhaps in a “readers theater” style or in sections with hymns/anthems/solos in between (similar to the Advent “Lessons and Carols”). Or, letting the Spirit and the needs of your congregation guide you, pick out part of the passage as your focus.
Possible focal points might include: the betrayal, Peter’s denials, Jesus before Annas and Caiaphas, Jesus before Herod, Jesus seeing his mother and the “beloved disciple”, or the burial.
1) https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/671901/jewish/When-Is-Passover-in-2023-2024-2025-2026-and-2027.htm
(2) https://www.learnreligions.com/isaiah-53-interpretations-4175126
(3) https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/fifth-sunday-in-lent-2/commentary-on-jeremiah-3131-34-17
4) https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/571614/jewish/Enter-the-Holy-of-Holies.htm
Rev. Bob Dean is a retired elder in the Iowa Annual Conference, who in the past has taken Confirmation students and other groups to observe/participate in worship services at other churches, synagogues, and mosques.
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6 y 7 Abril, 2023 — Jueves Santo y Viernes Santo
Por Rev. Bob Dean
Isaías 52:13-53:12
Estas lecturas son parte de los temas de los Sufrimientos del Siervo de Jehová en las últimas partes del libro de Isaías. Mientras discrepan la interpretación entre eruditos corrientes cristianos y judíos (ambos dentro de y también entre los dos grupos), un conocimiento de ambos (para Ud. mismo y para su congregación) puede ser saludable.2
Salmos 22
Este salmo incluye las palabras de Jesús en la cruz. Indica el sentido de separación de Jesús de su fuente divina, su alienación y soledad. Pero este salmo también incluye un mensaje de esperanza (versículos 19-31). Una lectura dividida (versículos 1-18, entonce un himno o reflexión, seguido por versículos 13-31) puede ser una manera eficaz de abrazar completamente el sufrimiento, pero también poner énfasis en la esperanza dentro del salmo – lo cual quizás estaba dentro de nuestro Señor a la vez. ¿Cuando ha sentido Ud. (su congregación) los dos?
Hebreos 10:16-25
El uso de la palabra pacto en versículo 16 podría conectar a los elementos del Servicio Wesleyano de Pacto en este escenario. También es una oportunidad de notar que ésta es la segunda vez que el autor cita Jeremías 31:33 (vea Hebreos 8:10) y es una promesa al pueblo hebreo. Un vínculo que considera más profundamente la lectura de Jeremías aparece abajo.3
Hebreos 4:14-16; 5:7-9
“La parte más memorable del servicio del Día del Perdón en el Templo fue la convergencia de los elementos más sagrados de tiempo, espacio, y forma de vida. En este día más sagrado del año, la persona más sagrada – el Sumo Sacerdote – entraba en el lugar más sagrado en la tierra, el Santasanctórum en el santuario del Templo, donde oraba por todos sus hermanos y hermanas judíos y obtener su perdón.”4
Juan 18:1-19:42
La lectura completa podría ser leída – quizás al estilo de “teatro de lectores” o en secciones con himnos/solos/ canciones entre las lecturas (semejante al Servicio de Lecturas y Villancicos de Adviento). O, dejando que el Espíritu y las necesidades de su congregación le guíen, escoja parte(s) de la lectura como su enfoque. Puntos posible podrían ser: la traición, las negaciones de Pedro, Jesús ante Anás y Caifás, Jesús ante Herodes, Jesús viendo a su madre y “el discípulo amado”, o el entierro.
1https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/671901/jewish/When-Is-Passover-in-2023-2024-2025-2026-and-2027.htm
2https://www.learnreligions.com/isaiah-53-interpretations-4175126
3https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/fifth-sunday-in-lent-2/commentary-on-jeremiah-3131-34-17
4https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/571614/jewish/Enter-the-Holy-of-Holies.htm
El Rvdo. Bob Dean es presbítero en la Conferencia Anual de Iowa, quien en el pasado, ha llevado a estudiantes en su clase de Confirmación y a otros grupos a observar /participar en servicios de culto en otras iglesias, sinagogas, y mezquitas.
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