Maundy Thursday Message

Click Here for a printable version of this message.

Missed a message? Click Here!

Maundy Thursday Message: Today in history...

Many years ago, my mother had a paint-by-number of this famous painting in her living room. Mom is gone now for over 27 years. But, I can clearly see this on her wall above her collection of clowns on the shelf below. Mom loved clowns and she loved the Lord.

Holy Week, as we now call it, started last Sunday with Palm Sunday celebrating the triumphant arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem. (Mark 11:1-10, John 12:12-14) Today is known as Maundy Thursday. Knowing that today marks the anniversary of the “Last Supper”, I was reading the biblical accounts in Mark and John and realized that this day encompasses so much more than we see in the DaVinci painting…

At the Passover meal, Jesus washed the feet of the disciples:

He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. John 13:4-5

As he broke bread with them, the first Holy Communion/Holy Eucharist was instituted:

And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. Mark 14:22-25

He issued a new commandment:

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:34-35

And, he was betrayed:

And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I? And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born. Mark 14:18-21

All of which had to happen to fulfill the prophecy and to glorify God…

He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. John 12:30-31

Can you use your imagination to try to feel what the disciples were feeling? After all, they were there observing Passover, the solemn meal celebrated by Jews for their release from bondage. Confused? Jesus, their Lord, washing their feet? Appalled? They were drinking blood and eating flesh (his body)? Hurt? One of them would betray him? And, let’s not forget the new commandment to love on another as he loved them. What the heck was that supposed to mean?

Then, after all of this, Jesus tells them he is leaving and where he goes, they may not follow. (Read John 14 for Jesus words to them.) Talk about alarming news! The poor guys had to have been befuddled to say the least.

Today, we know the whole story. We know what happens and how it all ends with Jesus’ resurrection and life everlasting. We have Salvation! Alleluia! Today, as you go about your day, think about what this day must have been like for a dozen men 2,000 years ago! They had no idea it was the “Last Supper”.

May you be blessed by the knowledge of what was given to us on that first Maundy Thursday.
Cindy Lee Nonnemacher
Author

Want more?

Cindy Lee, the author of Connecting the Light, publishes "Inspired Messages" every few weeks. Each of these messages provide insight and inspiration in a world gone a muck! Drawn from her own life and often reflecting current events, you will find these messages have a practical side when facing life in the real world.
Want to hear what others are saying? Click Here.

If this story has blessed you in any way, won’t you let me know? CLICK HERE.

Click here to leave a comment
Your feedback is valuable and appreciated.