Thursday of Holy Week was one of the most important days of the week. It was the beginning of our remembering Jesus through communion or the Lord’s Supper. It was during the Passover meal that Jesus was with his closest people. Then we move to the place where Jesus was arrested, what took place in the Garden.
It is known as Maundy Thursday. That name relates to the latin word for speaking to the instruction as in Jesus giving His disciples during the last supper. It is also called Holy Thursday. Here is how it unfolds.
Matthew 26:26-29 NLT
As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, 28 for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. 29 Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.”
The first communion taught us of the significance of the body and blood of Jesus given as a sacrifice for us. He was literally broken as symbolized in the broken bread. The cup portrays the blood of Jesus poured out for our sins. This act reminds us of Old Testament truth and the need for sacrifice to forgive sin. But Jesus’ death and blood aren’t annual event as it once was.
We celebrate the Lord’s Supper or communion as we were told to do in remembrance of Jesus. His sacrifice is a gift and is enough for our need.
Another of the important aspects of the meal is what Jesus did at the end as an act of serving while reminding His followers that we are to follow His example.
John 13:4-5,14-17 NLT
So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.
It is our turn to serve and wash the feet of others. Be the servant!
We find Jesus later that night in the Garden with His three closest followers, Peter, James and John. There are so many things about that night that grab our attention, or should. They couldn’t stay awake. Peter cut off the ear of one of the men coming to arrest Jesus. Then move to the trial of Jesus.
Here are a couple things that stand to me.
Matthew 26:39,42 NLT
He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” … Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.”
Not my will, Jesus said, but your will Father. He was willing, yet Jesus literately sweat drops of blood. This was difficult because the Father had to turn His back on His son. Jesus was born for this, to give His life as a ransom for many.
We must look at this day of Easter, in Holy Week, knowing that the beginning of the Lord’s Supper and the will of God being fulfilled in Jesus’ life change us. So much more is going on. We take all this in. We celebrate Jesus.
Spend time this week with Jesus.
Celebrate Him and the reality of Easter.
He was and is willing to be who God called Him to be.
Matthew 20:28 NLT
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Invite someone to go to church with you this Sunday. It is at Easter that people are more likely going to accept that invite to church and hear the message of life in Christ. Invite someone to come to know Jesus this holy week!
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