Thursday Devotional - God is With Us as We Remember Jesus on Maundy/Holy Thursday 4/14/22

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

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. ⁸ Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”

⁹ “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