Maundy Thursday

When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?” He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.” Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” (Matthew 26:20-29 ESV) It’s easy to wonder about what we should call Thursday of Holy Week. After all, there are several choices depending on the denomination you are most familiar with. Some will simply call the day “Thursday;” others will use “Holy Thursday;” and, some of the more liturgical denominations will use the name, “Maundy Thursday.” The word “Maundy” is interesting and perhaps more accurate when describing the events of the day in the life of Jesus and his disciples that last week before the resurrection. Etymologically, the consensus is that “Maundy” comes from the Latin word Mandatum (itself from the verb Mandare), which is translated “commandment.” It is a reference to the command Jesus gives in John 13, that we should “love one another.” I have chosen a reading for today that details the last Passover meal Jesus had with the disciples more than the commandment John records. I find it foundational to the whole series of events. Jesus does command us to love one another; however, as you can appreciate, there are some who are particularly difficult to like, much less love. In fact, I would say it is impossible to do without the help of the Holy Spirit. And, that help can only come when the redemptive sacrifice is applied to our lives. No wonder Jesus wants us to remember his death as often as we celebrate the memorial supper. It is an incredible reminder of much more than our being saved from hell and the punishment of our sin. It is Jesus doing everything necessary to allow the Spirit of God to fully inhabit our lives so that we can be what he desires in all of our relationships. If you have ever wondered how Judas could have betrayed Jesus, you only need understand that he was simply not a child of God. This led to his failure and ultimately to his destruction since the guilt and shame were too much for him to bear. He was not like Peter, who saw his failure and recognized the love of God in his redemptive work. He knew he could be forgiven and experienced the relational restoration of the Holy Spirit in that last conversation with Jesus at the shore. You can have that restoration too. Trust the work of Christ in your life!