Introduction
In the sermon text for this Lord’s Day (Luke 22:7-13), Jesus oversees the preparation for his Passover meal with the disciples. Jesus embraces the imagery of the Passover to describe what he will accomplish the next day. He is the Lamb of God delivered up in sacrifice for our sins.
The hymns in this worship service were selected because they declare Jesus to be the Lamb of God.
PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
Prelude
Call to Worship: Revelation 5:11-14
Invocation
PROCLAMATION
Hymn 52 Crown Him with Many Crowns
Note: The service begins with an anthem of praise that anticipates the day when we will join heaven’s voices to sing praises to Jesus, the Lamb of God. He will be crowned eternal King. Though betrayed and crucified, he emerged from the tomb victorious. This classic him declares that the Lamb upon the throne is Son of God and Lord of love, life, and years (history).
Scripture Reading Hebrews 10:1-18
Note: Jesus’ Passover meal with the disciples took place at the brink of remarkable change in God’s dealings with his people. The temple and its ceremony were but a shadow of what was to come. The author of Hebrews explains the change.
Hymn 136 Not All the Blood of Beasts
Note: Isaac Watts probably had Hebrews 10 in mind as he penned the lyrics of this hymn. In it, he distinguishes the wonderful difference between the endless sacrifices in Israel’s temple and the one sacrifice accomplished by Jesus, the Lamb of God.
Pastoral Prayer
Hymn Insert At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing
Note: On the night before Jesus died, the long-standing tradition of Passover gave way to a new rite for God’s people: the Lord’s Supper. This hymn describes the saving, delivering work of Jesus, using the imagery of God’s deliverance of Israel remembered in the Passover.
Message: Preparation for the Passover
Luke 22:7-13
Pastor Steven Thomas
RESPONSE
Hymn 81 Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus!
Notes: Jesus was despised and rejected, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3). Though despised and crucified, we welcome him (Hail!). His death was a divine appointment in which he served as our “Paschal Lamb.” His merits and his suffering brought us life. Therefore, we offer unceasing praise to him.
Prayer Response: John Miles
Benediction: John Miles