MAUNDY THURSDAY
"Ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto
thee, "Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with
My disciples? And He shall show you a large upper room furnished: there
make ready."
- Luke 22:11,12
It was the last night of our Savior's earthly life, and Jesus was
gathered with His disciples for the last time in the unknown upper room
at Jerusalem. Here my Savior gave His Church the holy ordinance, the
Sacrament of His own body and blood; here the Son of God spoke the
deathless words of comfort and courage which will help me in time and
eternity.
The disciples had to struggle against selfishness. they were quick to
dispute who was greatest and slow to volunteer for footwashing. On the
day Jesus wanted to show them the full extent of His love, and He did.
Preparing to do the task of a servant, a normal act of hospitality
offered to guests, He placed a towel around Himself, took a basin of
water, and washed the . . .
MAUNDY THURSDAY
"Ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, "Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with My disciples? And He shall show you a large upper room furnished: there make ready."
- Luke 22:11,12
It was the last night of our Savior's earthly life, and Jesus was gathered with His disciples for the last time in the unknown upper room at Jerusalem. Here my Savior gave His Church the holy ordinance, the Sacrament of His own body and blood; here the Son of God spoke the deathless words of comfort and courage which will help me in time and eternity.
The disciples had to struggle against selfishness. they were quick to dispute who was greatest and slow to volunteer for footwashing. On the day Jesus wanted to show them the full extent of His love, and He did. Preparing to do the task of a servant, a normal act of hospitality offered to guests, He placed a towel around Himself, took a basin of water, and washed the disciples' feet. that Jesus should tke this task upon Himself was totally unexpected. Jesus' servanthood in the upper room did not stop with footwashing. He gave His Holy Supper for a continuing New Covenant of His presence and forgiveness. Friday His death was the full extent of Jesus' love.
This sacramental meal bridges nearly two thousand years and many thousands of miles for us and takes us back to the cross in a most personal and intimate way. We Christians know that our almighty King means exactly what He says when, with the bread and wine, we hear Him say: "Take and eat; this is my body. Take and drink; this is by blood." We know that His body and blood, once sacrificed into death for our sins, is really present with these earthly elements.
When He declares that this body and blood were given and shed for the forgiveness of sins, we find great assurance for our faith. And how we rejoice when we hear Him say that all this is "for you." We are no longer spectators at the cross, we are involved. Our King had us on His heart as He suffered and died for sin.
Saved by the blood of the Crucified One,
Now ransomed from sin and the new work begun;
Sing praise to the Father and praise to the Son,
Saved by the blood of the Crucified One.
PRAY - LORD Jesus Christ, help me sincerely believe that I may worthily receive Your Supper and in You find rest. Amen