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 13:1-17). 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.
2 Comments
Cindy Carr
Thank you my Lord & Savior, that you with stood all that tremendous suffering
for me. My heart is full of sorrow and much thanksgiving that you loved me beyond what
I can comprehend. I cannot feel the intense pain you did nor sweat blood as you did
but I know in my heart that I don’t think any of us can. The deep sorrow and betrayal was so heavy on your heart that I think we can feel this to some small degree. Your steadfast love was to only please The Father and do His Will no matter the suffering. My prayer is that I will always have your strength, your courage and your desire to do His Will with the assignments that I am called to complete. I love you Jesus!
James Albanese
I come to you with a heart that is overwhelmed when I think about the destination You were facing and You still took the time to wash the feet of Your disciples and feed them. Still teaching them to be a servant and the meaning but also teaching the meaning of the bread and the cup. Knowing that very night You would be betrayed. Then going to Gethsemane where You would be under so much duress, where You prayed, sweat blood and would surrender to the roman guards. I’M always in awe. Your Agape love is what flowed into my heart and makes me want to walk with You now and forever. Without the love of God in me, I truly believe I have no love in me. I pray that I continue to grow in love and continue to serve as you did. Thank You for transforming me to be Your servant!!!