Maundy Thursday

We all have those ‘days’, those ‘days’ we mark as significant. As we think back on this Thursday of Holy Week, we can see that this was a day of significance in the life of the disciples. Thursday of Holy Week or Maundy Thursday is one of those days.

 The previous Sunday, we saw Jesus enter Jerusalem as a king riding on a donkey as the people waved palm branches and shouted ‘Hosanna’ – ‘Hosanna in the Highest!’ This was fulfilling an ancient prophecy from Zec 9:9. and Psalm 118:25-26. On Monday Jesus cleared the temple of the money changers and overturned tables and drove them from the temple, Tuesday Jesus taught parables and warned the people against the Pharisees.  Wednesday was a day of rest.

On Thursday in the upper room Jesus prepares himself and his disciples for his death.  As they were reclining at the table the Lord rose and took off his outer clothes and wrapped a towel around his waist.  After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet. Then returning to his place, he asked, “Do you understand what I have done for you? Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. What an example of humility and service to one another?” 

During the Passover meal Jesus gives further instructions to his disciples, he breaks the bread and tells them that “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me”.  And in the same way he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant, in my blood, which is poured out for you, drink.  This began what we as Christians call – Communion.

Finally during that ‘Last Supper’ he also gave the disciples an new commandment – “And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

Nothing Jesus ever did was without meaning or significance for those whom lived during that time or for us as Jesus’ followers today.  Remember the price Jesus paid for our sins.  Remember His instructions to us as believers on how we should live.  Highly blessed and favored are we.

Scriptures from: Matthew 26:17-30     Mark 14:12-26

                         Luke 22:7-23            John 13:1-30