Day 38 – Maundy Thursday
Read Psalm 142
God hears the cry of the oppressed and the afflicted. He hears both corporate cries, like the nation of Israel calling out for God in the midst of their slavery in Egypt (Exodus 2:23), and individual cries like here in Psalm 142. The reality of oppression and affliction are constant reminders that the world is not what it is supposed to be; the world is broken. David Powlison would often say that there are two things that beset us - our suffering and our sin. People do things to us and we do things to ourselves or to others. The Psalm writers cry out to God because they know that the sin and suffering of the world is not what God intended. They cry out to God because they know that God has promised to redeem and restore this broken world.
On Maundy Thursday we remember the last supper Jesus had with his disciples. During that meal Jesus took a loaf of bread and said that it was his body which was broken for his disciples. Then, he took a cup and said that it was his blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins. A broken body and poured out blood. This, of course, is God’s ultimate answer to the cry of the oppressed. This is God’s answer to the reality of a broken world, to the reality of creation gone wrong: Jesus is broken for the sake of the broken world.
Here are the words of the German hymn, Ah Holy Jesus. Take your time with the Thy’s and Thou’s and Thee’s - it is old English but rich in theology. It is a beautiful hymn for Passion week.
Ah, holy Jesus, how hast Thou offended, That man to judge Thee hath in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by Thine own rejected, O most afflicted.
Who was the guilty – Who brought this upon Thee? Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone Thee.
Twas I, Lord, Jesus, I it was denied Thee! I crucified Thee.
For me, kind Jesus, was Thine incarnation, Thy mortal sorrow, and Thy life’s oblation; Thy death of anguish and Thy bitter passion, For my salvation.
Lo, the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered; The slave hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered;
For our atonement, while he nothing heedeth, God intercedeth.
Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay Thee, I do adore Thee, and will ever pray Thee, Think on Thy pity and Thy love unswerving, Not my deserving.
Here are some of the lines that stand out to me.
Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone Thee.
“Lo (meaning Behold! or Look!”) the Good Shepherd for the sheep is offered.
The slave (meaning us) hath sinned, and the Son hath suffered.
The Hymn then closes with a prayer for Jesus to “Think on Thy pity and Thy love unswerving, Not my deserving.” In other words, Jesus please remember your love for us that never changes or swerves rather than our haphazard faithfulness. A similar prayer is given as Psalm 142 closes: “The righteous will surround me for you will deal bountifully with me.”
Prayer
Thank God that it was through the broken body and poured out blood of the one “most afflicted” that He has brought healing to the world and to your own life.