Maundy Thursday

Thursday of Holy Week was a long day for our Savior. From washing the disciples feet, a Passover meal, Gethsemane, and ending with His arrest and trial. Scripture reading is Matthew 26:17-29; Matthew 26:36-47-Matthew 27:26; Mark 14-25; Mark 14: 32-Mark 15:15; Luke 22: 7-20, 40-47-Luke 23:25; John 13:1-38; John 14:1-16:33.

For this blog, I will be using Matthew's account. However, I do recommend that you take the time to read all of the above scripture.

Passover:

When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. 21 And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me. Matthew 26: 20-21.

Jesus is eating with the disciples, but not in the fashion we think of, sitting at a long table. Jesus and the disciples would actually be a square-cornered, U shaped combination of three cushions. They would be reclining/lying on their sides with their bodies perpendicular to the cushions, stretched outward away from the center of the room. The food would be placed in the middle of the U. He proceeds to tell them that someone amongst them would betray Him. Can you imagine the looks on their faces? I wonder how nervous Judas got-anxiety overtaking him, sweating palms, twitching eyes, especially when Jesus tells him it would be him to betray Him.

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Dr. Blomberg states, "From Matthew’s account emerge two key reasons for celebrating the Lord’s Supper. One looks backward; the other, forward. First, we commemorate Jesus’ redemptive death. Second, we anticipate his return in company with all the redeemed. These two points remain central to all three Synoptic accounts and should form the heart of any theology of this ordinance. Verse 30 rounds off this section by describing the departure of Jesus and the eleven from the upper room, the house, and the city of Jerusalem. But first they sing one or more hymns, probably the closing round of Hallel (praise) Psalms (Pss 115–18) that formed part of the Passover liturgy. Then the little entourage returns to the Mount of Olives where they heard Jesus preach just two days earlier (24:1)."

It was also during the meal (verse31-35) Jesus tells Peter of his upcoming betrayal. Jesus sets out for Gethsemane with Peter, James and John. He gives them instructions to go and pray, stay alert, but they fell asleep instead.

And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

Jesus was filled with great sadness and sorrow. The cup mentioned in verse 39 is a symbol of that sorrow and suffering. His Father's face has turned away from Him when He who had no sin was made sin. He was going to bear the sins of the human race. He was going to become the Passover Lamb.

Verse 47-56: Jesus is arrested. He goes before the Sanhedrin. Peter denies ever knowing Jesus, not once or twice, but three times, as the Lord predicted.

Close your eyes and imagine the Passover meal. Smell of bread, breathe in the fragrance of the wine. Imagine Jesus in the Garden, praying so hard he sweated out blood. Imagine the disciples asleep, after He instructed them to stay awake and pray. Imagine....

May God bless you today,

Veronica

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 26:20–21.

Craig Blomberg, Matthew, vol. 22, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 388, 392.