REFLECTION: Matthew 26:14-30 “The New Covenant Meal”
To understand who Jesus is, we need to go back a lot further than just his parents
and his birthplace. He is the most important person to have ever lived and his
origins are eternal. His coming was foretold for centuries and all of Israel’s
history, in a sense, points to him and finds its fulfilment in him. Matthew’s
gospel in particular looks at the theme of fulfilment of prophecy & the
theme of Jesus being the fulfilment of God’s plans for Israel. Jesus now shows
that the Passover of Israel was a looking-forward to God’s great rescue mission
to save fallen humanity through Jesus death on the cross.
In today’s reading, Jesus inaugurates the new covenant in the breaking of the
bread, giving a whole new meaning to the Passover meal.
He gives us a new celebration that looks back through God’s plan of salvation
and looks forward to the culmination of that plan at the feast of the lamb.
Here are the main points.
1. A new Passover (17-19)
2. A new Betrayal/Rebellion (14-16, 20-25)
3. A new Covenant (26-28)
4. A new Remembrance (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
5. A new Kingdom (29-30)
To Think About:
What does the Lord’s Supper mean to you?
Is there something new that today’s reading has helped you understand?
HYMNS FOR THIS SUNDAY
TIS 333 All glory praise and honour
MP 457 Make way, make way
TIS 357 When his time was over
TIS 348 Ride on, ride on in majesty
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS
Ends this Sunday, so please remember to put your clocks back an hour.
6PM SERVICE
There is a 6pm service tonight and all are welcome. We will continue in our
series on the parables, looking at the parable of the Shrewd Manager in Luke 16.
LENTEN STUDIES
Graeme is leading some Lenten Bible Studies in the Parish Centre on
Wednesdays at 7:30pm looking at the Sunday gospel readings.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
A memorial service for our dear brother Sudhir Sukumar is being organized for
the afternoon of Saturday 15th of April at 2pm, here at St James. More details to
follow shortly.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
On Maundy Thursday we gather in the Parish Hall for a lamb Dinner,
reminiscent of the Passover meal the disciples shared with Jesus on that
night. We have a devotional and sing some hymns. Then we prepare the church
for Good Friday by stripping the Altar. If you can come, please add your name
to the list in the foyer.
GOOD FRIDAY
On Good Friday, there will be a one hour “Objects of the Cross” service at 10am
in the morning followed by hot cross buns. From 12 till 3pm there will be a
special 3 hour devotional serviced in the church. Folk are encouraged to come
for the full 3 hours but come for what you are able to manage. This will
including readings from the passion narrative, hymns, and times of quiet
reflection.
SYNOD REPS
Nomination Forms are now available in the foyer for the position of Synod
Representatives. The Parish is required to elect 2 Synod Reps and 1
supplementary for the coming 3 year cycle of Synod. If you are willing, please
submit a signed form to the Vicar.
FOR YOUR DIARIES
BCA Dinner at Glen Waverly Anglican, 5:30pm Sat 22nd April. We want to put
together a St James’ table group. Please indicate your interest on the sheet in the
foyer.
Voice to Parliament Seminar: There will be a seminar at St James’ discussing
the Voice to Parliament. Bishop Paul Barker will lead a conversation with Canon
Glenn Loughrey. This will be held on Tuesday 2nd of May at 2pm.
St James’ Mothers’ Day High Tea, Sat May 13th.
FELLOWSHIP LUNCH IS BACK
Wednesday April 19th 12noon at Dandenong Club. Everyone welcome to join us
for good food and conversation. Please add your name to list in porch or contact
Doreen 0439795386
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
9th April–Easter Sunday
Acts 10.34-43; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Colossians 3.1-4; Matthew 28:1-10
THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR
Mike; Mark; Clovis; Rose; Rhonda; Eva; Cecil; Stanley; Nigel; Russell; Josie, Kevin; Joanne, Eve, Margaret, Lynette, Danny, Esme, Henry, Michael, Milton, Charles, Edward,
Tyrone, Sylvia & Renee.
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