Thursday, March 29, 2018

Thursday Devotional - Maundy or Holy Thursday


Do you already have plans made for Easter? Are you planning a big feast at your house or cooking certain items to take to someone else’s?
We do a pot-luck brunch at our church before the Easter service. Joe and I haven’t even talked about what we are taking. We haven’t planned that far out, even though I know it’s only 3 days away!
Well, God and Jesus had everything planned out for Easter well in advance. In fact, Jesus’ “Last Supper” with His disciples was planned out, too.
Luke 22:7-16 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
“Where do you want us to prepare for it?” they asked.
10 He replied, “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.”
13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
Wow, what sovereignty, selflessness, love and care! He took the time to give miraculously specific details! He was thorough and orderly even with the greatest weight of death on his shoulders.
None of us will suffer the way Jesus did. However, how will you and I look to ease the preparations and work of others, even while we prepare to suffer or are suffering?   
Alice