Maundy Thursday (April 1,2021)

Here we are, the day before Good Friday. The United Methodist Church and a few other denominations of the Christian faith. Tonight Jesus and his disciples will partake in their last meal together before Jesus would die on the cross. He instituted what would be called the Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper or simply communion. Jesus shares the meal with his closest friends. “Maundy” means “command” referring to John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give you, love each other as I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

John 13-18 tells more about the conversations Jesus had with his disciples but we will get there in a moment. Jesus gives them an example of how to remember him and what would come in a few short hours. First, Jesus shows his humility by washing his disciples feet. He breaks bread to say his body would be broken for the sin of the world. Then Jesus took the cup of wine and said it was his blood that would be poured our to forgive sin. Jesus said “As often as you do this, do it in remembrance of me.” Jesus tells his friends he won’t be around much longer. He’s told this before but the time has come but they still didn’t believe him. Jesus tells Peter he will deny not knowing Jesus and Judas leaves to betray Jesus. Listen to the savior’s words “Whatever you’re doing, do it quickly friend.” Look at the love of Jesus.

Jesus then takes Peter, James and John to the garden and he asked them to pray for him as he prepares for what will come. Jesus is so deeply distressed, he sweats “great drops of blood”. He says “if it’s possible, take this heavy burden from me, but not My will but Yours be done. In John, Jesus prays for his disciples and those who would believe later. He prays for you. Yes you. He prays that as believers, we are one in Christ. Jesus also prays that God doesn’t take us from this world but he deliver us from the evil one. You can read Jesus’ prayer in John 17.

Then Judas comes along and betrays him with a kiss. “Who are you looking for?” Jesus said. “Jesus of Nazareth.” They said. “I am he.” Jesus said. He identifies himself so that the others can go free. I wanna go live tomorrow and preach so this post won’t be too much longer. Peter cuts this guy’s ear off and Jesus puts it on. Jesus is now taken away, Peter denies him. Jesus is questioned and accused of blasphemy and beaten, mocked and scored all night.

Imagine yourself there on this Thursday. In one of Jesus’s darkest moments, he’s thinking of you and he loves you. Tomorrow is the darkest day of all history, and what do we call it? Good Friday.

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