Holy Thursday

Just a reminder, today is Maundy Thursday ( also called Holy Thursday or Great Thursday). It is the Thursday before Easter, and the day before Good Friday, and is a commemoration of the Last Supper when Jesus shared the Passover meal with the disciples on the night before He was crucified. This is typically a solemn day because it is marked by the remembrance of the Jesus' betrayal by Judas. It is the start four precious days that culminate on Sunday with Easter and the celebration of the resurrection.

Three important events to reflect on today:

1. The Last Supper also called the Passover Meal (the Passover Meal was a meal that the Jewish people shared together to remember and/or celebrate the time when God delivered Moses and the Israelites from captivity in Egypt).

And when the hour came, He reclined at table, and the apostles with Him. And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And He took the cup,…” –Luke 22:14-17a

2. Jesus washing the disciples’ feet - before the Passover meal Jesus washed the feet of His disciples.

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside His outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around His waist. Then He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. –John 13:3-5

When He had washed their feet and put on His outer garments and resumed His place He said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” –John 13:12-4

3. Jesus betrayal by Judas; one of the twelve disciples - Maundy Thursday was the night on which Judas betrayed Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and scribes and the elders. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize Him and lead Him away under guard.” And when he came, he went up to Him at once and said, “Rabbi!” and he kissed Him. –Mark 14:43-45

You can learn more here and here.

My two cents – if you haven’t already begun preparing your heart for Easter/Resurrection Day prayerfully consider doing so. This is such a special, special time…and for Christians is arguably the most important of all Christian celebrations. I’ll write more tomorrow about Good Friday and about our own Lenten traditions.

blessings,
danielle

And as they were eating, He took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” -Mark 14:22-25