What happened the day before Jesus was crucified?
The first thing
that comes to mind is Jesus celebrating the Passover and instituting the Lord’s
Supper/Communion. This is usually the main focus at Maundy/Holy Thursday
services.
As I was reading
Matthew 26, it struck me how many different conversations and significant
events happened on this day before Jesus’ death.
Jesus’ Passover
meal/Last Supper with His disciples
Jesus predicted
his betrayal
Jesus instituted
Communion/Lord’s Supper
Jesus predicted
the disciples’ abandonment of Him
Jesus predicted
Peter’s denial
Jesus prayed in
the Garden of Gethsemane
Judas betrayed
Jesus
Peter cut off the
ear of the high priest’s servant
Jesus was
arrested
Jesus was
questioned by the Sanhedrin
Peter denied Jesus
All the disciples
abandoned Jesus, but He never abandoned them.
Matthew 26:31-35 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall
away on account of me, for it is written:
“‘I will strike the
shepherd,
and the
sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
32 But after I
have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
33 Peter
replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
34 “Truly I
tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the
rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”
35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
Not only did Jesus not abandon His disciples, but He told them where He would meet them after His resurrection! What a gracious, faithful and loving Savior!
Let’s ask God to
help us be grateful for all the ways Jesus used his last day to give his
disciples and us valuable lessons, truths and instructions. Which one will you
focus on today?
Alice
