Daily Readings - Thu Apr 18 2019
Exodus
1The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt,2"This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year.3Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.4If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat.5The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats.6Take care of them until the fourteenth day of the month, when all the people of the community of Israel must slaughter them at twilight.7Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.8That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.11This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD's Passover.12"On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn-both men and animals-and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.13The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.14"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.
1 Corinthians
23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
John
1It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.2The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"7Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."8"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."9"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"10Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you."11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them.13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am.14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound themes of sacrifice, service, and the enduring presence of God in our lives. The Exodus passage recounts the institution of the Passover, a pivotal moment where the Israelites marked their homes with the blood of a lamb, sparing their firstborn from death. This act of obedience and faith was a precursor to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, whose blood would save humanity from sin. The context of this passage is one of liberation, as God prepares His people for their exodus from Egypt, establishing a ritual that would be remembered for generations.
In 1 Corinthians, Paul reminds us of the Eucharist, instituted by Jesus on the night of His betrayal. Jesus took bread and wine, declaring them to be His body and blood, given for us. This sacrament is not just a ritual but a profound expression of Christ's love and sacrifice. The context here is one of correction and reminder, as Paul addresses the Corinthian church's misuse of the Lord's Supper, emphasizing its deep connection to the death of Christ and the unity it brings to believers.
John's Gospel shifts our focus to Jesus' act of washing His disciples' feet, an extraordinary display of humility and service. This act, occurring during the Last Supper, underscores Jesus' role as a servant-leader. The context is one of impending betrayal and departure, yet Jesus' focus remains on teaching His disciples the value of humility and love. He commands them to serve one another, setting an example that transcends hierarchical structures.
These readings are intricately connected, each highlighting different facets of God's love and our response. The Exodus story foreshadows the Eucharist, which in turn is lived out through acts of humble service. As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are called to embrace humility, serve others selflessly, and gratefully receive the sacrifice of Christ. Just as the Israelites were saved by the blood of the lamb, we are saved by Christ's blood, and just as Jesus washed feet, we are to wash one another's feet in spirit and deed.
The moral lesson is clear: our faith is not merely about rituals or doctrines but about living out the love and humility of Christ. We are to remember His sacrifice in the Eucharist and embody His service in our interactions. Let us strive to be people of gratitude, service, and love, reflecting the heart of Christ in all we do.