Holy Week – Thursday

Thursday was one of those days that seemed to never end. So many events took place and the emotions that went with them were just as varied.

It started out with Jesus and His disciples coming together for the Passover, a celebration that Jesus had eagerly been desiring to spend with them and show them the full extent of His love. He knew His time was near and He had many things He wanted to tell His disciples to further prepare them for His death and resurrection, events that would change their lives forever.

Jesus knew He would be betrayed by one of His disciples, disowned by another, and deserted by all of them for a time. Still “He showed them the full extent of His love. So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.  After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13: 1, 4-5)

His message in this loving act was service. “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13: 14-17)

Following this lesson by example, He announced that one of them would betray Him and one by one they said to Him, “Surely not I?” Imagine the scene. Having just had your feet washed by the Savior and then hearing that there was a betrayer in the midst. Wondering if it could be you?
After the announcement of a betrayer, the Savior then gave them the gift of communion. A way to remember His sacrifice. A way to renew their devotion to God in the future and a way to share the message of salvation with other believers.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples. Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them and they drank from it. Afterwards he dismissed Judas to do what he was about to do, betray the Lord.

Jesus told them that He would only be with them a little while longer. Through protests by Peter and the prediction of Peter’s betrayal, Jesus continued to teach His disciples and pray for them.

Some of the most beautiful lessons were given that evening:

• In my Father’s house are many mansions; I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me
• I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
• If you love me, you will obey what I command and the Father will send the promised Holy Spirit to be with you forever
• I am the true vine; you are the branches. Remain in me and bear much fruit
• He warned them that they would have trouble in the world, but that they didn’t belong to the world; they had been chosen by God
• He prayed for Himself, for His disciples and for future believers

What a day! But it wasn’t over yet. Jesus and His disciples made their way to the Mount of Olives. While there Jesus continued praying that He would do the Father’s will. The disciples were tired and fell asleep repeatedly until the moment of the betrayal.

Judas betrayed the Savior with a kiss. From that moment on chaos ensued. Men scattered, a sword was drawn and an ear removed. The ear was then miraculously replaced by Jesus who was then bound, arrested and lead off to the high priest for a series of trials that would continue throughout the night.

False witnesses spoke out lies against Jesus. He was beaten and spat upon by the very people He was willingly dying for. His response to the high priest’s question, “Are you the Christ, the Son God?” was “I Am.” At that response they all condemned Him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

Just before this epic night came to a close, Peter uttered the words, “I don’t know this man,” for a third time and the immediately the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter and Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him and he went outside and wept bitterly.

So much happened in that 24 hour period. Thank you Lord that we have Your words written down so that we can take the time to re-read and remember. That’s what the disciples did later. Come together and remembered all the Jesus had taught them and prayed for them.

They shared communion to remember the Sacrifice. They served from a heart of love and they used His word to give them boldness as they went out into the world to share the gospel.

I sometimes refer to Thursday as Thankful Thursday. On social media they have Throw Back Thursday to remember past days. The Thursday in Lent is referred to as Maundy Thursday. Maundy means command and Jesus gave His disciples a new commandment, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

Every action and word that Jesus spoke that night was out of love. He started the evening by wanted to show the full extent of His love and He did. Serving, teaching, encouraging, preparing, suffering and even forgiving. His love has no bounds.

His word says, “If you Love me, you will obey me.” As we profess our love for our Savior this Easter season, we need to make sure that we are loving others the way He loves us.

My prayer

Father, my heart and emotions are all over the place as I remember the events of that Thursday. Your compassion and love in the face of betrayal and pain. Your heart to prepare Your disciples for what was ahead and encourage them with the promise of Your return. Thank you for communion where I can remember Your sacrifice with other believers and I pray that I can obey You by loving others fully. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

John 13:34

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”