Observance of a day to Remember

The Jews had been yearning for a Messiah who could bring relief from the Roman yoke. Many believed Jesus of Nazareth to be that long-awaited Saviour. For three and a half years, he had been speaking about God's Kingdom. He had cured the sick and fed the hungry. He had even brought comfort to many people. But the religious leaders were chafing under Jesus' burning denunciation of them and were desperate to have him killed. (Mark 10:32).

The chief priests, the scribes, and the principal men could not stand Jesus' actions and public teaching. On Nisan the 11th they had questioned Jesus on whose authority he did all those things.(Matthew 21:23-27)

The last day of Jesus' public ministry before his arrest, trial, and execution Jesus discussed several aspects of 'the sign of his presence.' He emphasized the need to "keep on the watch." Why? "Because, you do not know on what day your Lord is coming." (Luke 21:5, 6; Matthew 24:3, 42; Mark 13:3, 4, 7, 14, 21, 33, 35, 37; Luke 21:10, 11)

Jesus spended Nisan 12 quietly with his disciples. He realized that the religious leaders desperately wanted to kill him, and he did not want them to hinder his Passover celebration the following evening. (Mark 14:1, 2)

On Nisan 13, people were busy making final arrangements for the Passover. Early in the afternoon, Jesus had send Peter and John to prepare the Passover for them in an upper room in Jerusalem. (Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:8) A little before sundown, Jesus and the other ten apostles met them there for their last Passover celebration.

“and he said to them, “I have really wanted so much to celebrate this Seder with you before I die! for I tell you, it is certain that I will not celebrate it again until it is given its full meaning in the kingdom of god.”” (Luke 22:15-16 CJB)

 “also, taking a piece of matzah, he made the b’rakhah, broke it, gave it to them and said, “this is my body, which is being given for you; do this in memory of me.” he did the same with the cup after the meal, saying, “this cup is the new covenant, ratified by my blood, which is being poured out for you.” (Luke 22:19-20 CJB)

 “while they were eating, Yeshua took a piece of matzah, made the b’rakhah, broke it, gave it to the talmidim and said, “take! eat! this is my body!” also he took a cup of wine, made the b’rakhah, and gave it to them, saying, “all of you, drink from it! for this is my blood, which ratifies the new covenant, my blood shed on behalf of many, so that they may have their sins forgiven.” (Matthew 26:26-28 CJB)

Reason For Observance

Luke 22:19, 20 Also, he took a loaf, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: "This means my body which is to be given in YOUR behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me." 20 Also, the cup in the same way after they had the evening meal, he saying: "This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in YOUR behalf.
1 Corinthians 11:20, 26 Therefore, when YOU come together to one place, it is not possible to eat the Lord's evening meal. 26 For as often as YOU eat this loaf and drink this cup, YOU keep proclaiming the death of the Lord, until he arrives.
Romans 6:23 For the wages sin pays is death, but the gift God gives is everlasting life by Christ Jesus our Lord

Exodus 12:26,27 26 And it must occur that when YOUR sons say to YOU, 'What does this service mean to YOU?' 27 then YOU must say, 'It is the sacrifice of the passover to Jehovah, who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when he plagued the Egyptians, but he delivered our houses.'" Then the people bowed low and prostrated themselves.

In obedience to Christ's instructions, "Keep doing this in remembrance of me," the 14th day of Nisan should be continued to be observed by his followers till this day as the time for memorializing Christ's death. (Luke 22:19, 20)

Day of remembrance coming near

A Ransomer and a free Gift of God to remember

"Every good gift and every perfect present" comes down from God, our heavenly Father. (James 1:17)

The Greatest gift that God has given to fallen mankind is provision for their recovery by means of his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus' death as our Ransomer makes possible everlasting life on a paradise earth. At Luke 22:19, we are commanded to memorialize his death.

This day of remembrance is coming near. Shall we be able to meet you?

On the 13th of Nisan lots of people were busy making final arrangements for the Passover, also Jesus and his disciples. Early in the afternoon, Jesus had send Peter and John to prepare the Passover for them in an upper room in Jerusalem. (Mark 14:12-16; Luke 22:8) A little before sundown, Jesus and the other ten apostles met them there for their last Passover celebration.

Jesus had greatly desired to eat this passover with his close friends and told them he was going to suffer. (Luke 22:14, 15)
Jesus knew that one of these men—Judas Iscariot—had already arranged to betray him to the religious leaders. Understandably, he became very distressed. "One of you will betray me," he revealed. The apostles were highly grieved at this. (Matthew 26:21, 22) After celebrating the Passover, Jesus told Judas: "What you are doing get done more quickly."(John 13:27).

Once Judas had left, Jesus introduced a meal to commemorate his impending death. He took a loaf of the unleavened bread, expressed thanks in prayer, broke it, and instructed the 11 to partake. "This means my body," he sayd, "which is to be given in your behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me." He then took a cup of red wine. After saying a blessing, he passed the cup to them, telling them to drink out of it. Jesus added: "This means my 'blood of the covenant,' which is to be poured out in behalf of many for forgiveness of sins." (Luke 22:19, 20; Matthew 26:26-28).

During that momentous evening, Jesus taught his faithful apostles many valuable lessons, and among these the importance of brotherly love. (John 13:34, 35) He assured them that they were going to receive a "helper," the holy spirit. (John 14:26)
Later in the evening Jesus said a fervent prayer in their behalf. (John, chapter 17) After singing songs of praise, they left the upper room and followed Jesus out into the cool late-night air.

Sunday, April 17, we shall remember those moments and all the events of that night, when Judas Iscariot arrived with a crowd carrying swords, clubs, and torches in the the garden of Gethsemane. (John 18:1, 2; Luke 22:44; Matthew 26:47-52)
Jesus was arrested and bound, led away to Annas, the former high priest. Then he was taken to Caiaphas, the high priest, to be tried. In the early hours of the morning, the Sanhedrin falsely charged Jesus with blasphemy.

Caiaphas had him taken to Roman governor Pontius Pilate who got him send to Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee. Herod and his guards mocked Jesus were after they sent him back to Pilate, who confirmed Jesus innocence. But the Jewish religious leaders pressured him to condemn Jesus to death. After considerable verbal and physical abuse, Jesus was taken out to Golgotha where he was mercilessly nailed to a torture stake and suffered an agonizing death. (Mark 14:50-15:39; Luke 23:4-25)

It would have been the greatest tragedy in history if Jesus' death had brought a permanent end to his life. Happily, that was not the case. On Nisan 16, 33 C.E., his disciples were amazed to find that he had been raised from the dead. In time, more than 500 people were able to  verify that Jesus was again alive. And 40 days after his resurrection, a group of faithful followers saw him ascend to heaven. (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

Luke 22:14-71:
14 At length when the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them: “I have greatly desired to eat this passover with YOU before I suffer; 16 for I tell YOU, I will not eat it again until it becomes fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And, accepting a cup, he gave thanks and said: “Take this and pass it from one to the other among yourselves; 18 for I tell YOU, From now on I will not drink again from the product of the vine until the kingdom of God arrives.” 19 Also, he took a loaf, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: “This means my body which is to be given in YOUR behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me.”
20 Also, the cup in the same way after they had the evening meal, he saying: “This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in YOUR behalf. 21 “But, look! the hand of my betrayer is with me at the table. 22 Because the Son of man is going his way according to what is marked out; all the same, woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!” 23 So they started to discuss among themselves the question of which of them would really be the one that was about to do this. 24 However, there also arose a heated dispute among them over which one of them seemed to be greatest. 2
5 But he said to them: “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those having authority over them are called Benefactors. 26 YOU, though, are not to be that way. But let him that is the greatest among YOU become as the youngest, and the one acting as chief as the one ministering. 27 For which one is greater, the one reclining at the table or the one ministering? Is it not the one reclining at the table? But I am in YOUR midst as the one ministering.28 “However, YOU are the ones that have stuck with me in my trials; 29 and I make a covenant with YOU, just as my Father has made a covenant with me, for a kingdom, 30 that YOU may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 31 “Simon, Simon, look! Satan has demanded to have YOU men to sift YOU as wheat. 32 But I have made supplication for you that your faith may not give out; and you, when once you have returned, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Then he said to him: “Lord, I am ready to go with you both into prison and into death.” 34 But he said: “I tell you, Peter, A cock will not crow today until you have three times denied knowing me.” 35 He also said to them: “When I sent YOU forth without purse and food pouch and sandals, YOU did not want for anything, did YOU?” They said: “No!” 36 Then he said to them: “But now let the one that has a purse take it up, likewise also a food pouch; and let the one having no sword sell his outer garment and buy one. 37 For I tell YOU that this which is written must be accomplished in me, namely, „And he was reckoned with lawless ones.‟ For that which concerns me is having an accomplishment.” 38 Then they said: “Lord, look! here are two swords.” He said to them: “It is enough.” 39 On going out he went as customarily to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed him. 40 Having come to the place he said to them: “Carry on prayer, that YOU do not enter into temptation.”
41 And he himself drew away from them about a stone‟s throw, and bent his knees and began to pray, 42 saying: “Father, if you wish, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, let, not my will, but yours take place.” 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.
44 But getting into an agony he continued praying more earnestly; and his sweat became as drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 And he rose from prayer, went to the disciples and found them slumbering from grief; 46 and he said to them: “Why are YOU sleeping? Rise and carry on prayer, that YOU do not
enter into temptation.” 47 While he was yet speaking, look! a crowd, and the [man] called Judas, one of the twelve, was going before them; and he approached Jesus to kiss him.
48 But Jesus said to him: “Judas, do you betray the Son of man with a kiss?” 49 When those about him saw what was going to happen, they said: “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 A certain one of them even did strike the slave of the high priest and took off his right ear. 51 But in reply Jesus said: “LET it go as far as this.” And he touched the ear and healed him. 52 Jesus then said to the chief priests and captains of the temple and older men that had come there for him: “Did YOU come out with swords and clubs as against a robber?

53 While I was with YOU in the temple day after day YOU did not stretch out YOUR hands against me. But this is YOUR hour and the authority of darkness.” 54 Then they arrested him and led him off and brought him into the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance. 55 When they lit a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter was sitting in among them. 56 But a certain servant girl saw him sitting by the bright fire and looked him over and said: “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying: “I do not know him, woman.” 58 And after a short time another person seeing him said: “You also are one of them.” But Peter said: “Man, I am not.” 59 And after about an hour intervened a certain other [man] began insisting strongly: “For a certainty this [man] also was with him; for, in fact, he is a Gal·i·le´an!” 60 But Peter said: “Man, I do not know what you are saying.” And instantly, while he was yet speaking, a cock crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter, and Peter recalled the utterance of the Lord when he said to him: “Before a cock crows today you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly. 63 Now the men that had him in custody began to make fun of him, hitting him; 64 and after covering him over they would ask and say: “Prophesy. Who is it that struck you?” 65 And they went on saying many other things in blasphemy against him. 66 At length when it became day, the assembly of older men of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they haled him into their San´he·drin hall, saying: 67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them: “Even if I told YOU, YOU would not believe it at all. 68 Moreover, if I questioned YOU, YOU would not answer at all. 69 However, from now on the Son of man will be sitting at the powerful right hand of God.” 70 At this they all said: “Are you, therefore, the Son of God?” He said to them: “YOU yourselves are saying that I am.” 71 They said: “Why do we need further witness? For we ourselves have heard [it] out of his own mouth.” (NWT)

Communion and day of worship

* Do Christadelphians keep Communion?
Yes. They usually call it the Breaking of Bread (Acts 2:42). The Lord Jesus has commanded us to meet together regularly to break bread and drink wine, in memory of his sacrifice until he comes back. The bread represents his body, and the wine represents his blood (1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 6:53-56).

* Why is it necessary for us to break bread and drink wine?
(a) Baptism is described as a new birth. A growing child needs food at regular intervals. The breaking of bread is a symbolic meal, which provides us with spiritual food.
(b) In baptism our past sins are forgiven, but our weak human nature cannot stop sinning. The breaking of bread service reminds us of the sacrifice of Christ and gives us opportunity to ask for the forgiveness of our sins again.
(c) By the breaking of bread we are reminded of the vows we made at our baptism. It is a time for rededication. It reminds us that Jesus, though now in heaven, will come back to the earth.
(d) The Breaking of Bread also strengthens our fellowship with our fellow believers. We are told not to stay away from the assembly of believers, but to be present as an encouragement to those who share our beliefs. To stay away from the believers’ assembly is to wilfully sin (1 Corinthians 11:23-29; Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; Acts 2:42, 46, Hebrews 10:24-25).

* Must we break bread and drink wine on any special day?
No. The breaking of bread was instituted on a weekday evening. Jesus said we should keep it ‘often’, but he did not say how often, or on which day. The early disciples usually kept this ceremony on ‘the first day of the week’ - Sunday. For most people nowadays, Sunday still seems to be the most convenient day (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:25-26).

* What other services do Christadelphians hold?
They hold meetings for preaching the true gospel and for studying the Bible. Christadelphian meetings usually include hymns, prayers, and Bible readings. These should be supported as much as possible (Hebrews 10:24,25).

* Must we keep the Sabbath Day?
No. Jesus fulfilled the law of the Sabbath (Matthew 5:17). When God gave the fourth commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day …” (Exodus 20:8) He was providing one day a week rest from the curse placed on Adam to work “all the days of your life” (Genesis 3:17). For those who trusted God and kept the Sabbath, He made a special provision to sustain them (Exodus 16:22-24). To reject God’s Sabbath, therefore, was to refuse God’s gift of grace. But Jesus came as God’s gift of grace to all who believe in him. He performed God’s work on the Sabbath and declared himself ‘Lord of the Sabbath’ (Matthew 12:5-8; John 5:17). Jesus removed the burden of the curse of Adam (Matthew 11:28-30; 6:31-33). Now all days become a sabbath to the true Christian for whom God has prepared an eternal Sabbath of rest (Hebrews 4:8-10).
Some like to set aside a special day or special moments for dedication to God. This is good, and the principles for doing this are explained in Romans 14:5-9.

* Should a Christian pray every day?
Yes. God wants us to pray to Him regularly. Jesus gave a parable to teach that men ‘ought always to pray and not to lose heart’. Christians who do not pray soon lose contact with God. The Lord Jesus sometimes spent whole nights in prayer. Prayer should be a very important part of our lives too. Jesus Christ is our High Priest in the presence of God, and we pray to God through Christ (Luke 18:1; Matthew 6:5-13; Luke 6:12; James 5:16-18; Romans 12:12; Acts 2:42; Revelation 5:8).


- From the CBM booklet Preparing for baptism # The Christian Life

> Sabbath according to the Scriptures
> The Breaking of Bread
   To take the emblems of Christ's sufferings and sacrifice is the highest honour which a man or woman could have.
Along with prayer and Bible reading, regular obedience to Christ's command to break bread and drink wine in memory of his sacrifice is vital. "This do in remembrance of me", Jesus commanded (Luke 22:19). It was his wish that his followers should regularly do this until his second coming, when Jesus will share the bread and wine with them again (1 Cor. 11:26; Luke 22:16--18).

also of interest > Ecclesial Life

In Dutch:

> Avondmaal des Heren
> Teken van het verbond
> Sabbat of zondag
> Zondagrust of sabbatviering