Maundy Thursday

Today, Maundy Thursday marks the beginning of the Triduum or the “three days.”

Earlier this same day the Lord Jesus had instructed His disciples to prepare for what would be a distressing and holy meal, His Last Supper. The disciples made these preparations throughout the day (Matthew 26:17).

On our Thursday evening (Jewish Friday), we want to find ourselves in the upper room with Jesus and the Apostles. Jesus washing his disciples feet (John 13:1ff.). The final meal. The revelation that He’s being betrayed. The turmoil. The sadness. The confusion. The singing. The walk to the Garden of Gethsemane. The charge to remain awake and to pray. The failure to do so. The betrayal of our Lord. The arrest. The fleeing. The scurrying. The hiding. The denying. The not knowing . . .

After their Last Supper together, Jesus and the Apostles took a short walk across the Kidron Valley to Gethsemane – the olive press – where He would be pressed with satanic and demonic opposition. He would be in great agony as He considered the cup before Him. In distress, He consigned Himself completely to the Father’s will.

We want to be there with Him in the Garden, to sympathize. Our word “sympathize” comes from a Greek word that means to “suffer together.”

By 2:00 in the morning Jesus would have been betrayed by Judas’ kiss, arrested and be off to six (mostly illegal) trials.

By 9:00 in the morning, He would be on the cross. Within 24 hours of washing His disciples feet, His body would rest in a borrowed grave.

PRAYER POINT

Lord, let me be there with Jesus.

Read the accounts of Gethsemane (especially Luke 22:39–53) carefully and meditate upon Jesus’ great suffering there. Have a heart that overflows with thanksgiving as you consider that it was all for you.