Holy Week: Thursday

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John 13:1-17; 15:12; 16:33

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

15:12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Mark 14:22-25

And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Luke 22:39-53

And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

Judas Departed | Tulum, Mexico | February 2024

Many major events occur on Maundy Thursday the Day of Unleavened Bread, the day on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus washes the disciples’ feet and gives them a “new command.” He institutes the Lord’s Supper. He prays in the garden. He is arrested, taken away, and tortured.

These things happened on the night he was betrayed. I love the tender teaching moment when Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. I love the new command Jesus gives, “Love one another.” I love the care and grace he extends – even to Judas.

I am deeply struck by the words of Jesus to those who arrest him, “But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” (Luke 22:53) 

Jesus’ institution of the Lord’s Supper this night is an act of glorious grace. “Do this,” he says, “in remembrance of me.” I am reminded of a refrain in Martin Luther’s Small Catechism, “…given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” That phrase is found four times in his brief explanation of the Sacrament of the Altar. His body and blood, given and shed. For you. For the forgiveness of sins.

St. John will have a post-Easter sermon series on envy, anger, and peace. Their publicity for the series spoke about how powerful these three emotions, spiritual attitudes, and mindsets are in our lives. The end of the brief paragraph said, “Admit it. You need this.”

We need a Savior who will endure the suffering, cross, and shame for us. Admit it. But remember also, and rejoice that he did that: for you. For you.

I must make one more observation in regard to the Lord’s Supper. There is a movement of which I am not a part within our church body that wishes to limit access to this sacred meal. I don’t get it. I would rather be part of those who are urging people to come to receive this gift from God – to their blessing and joy. I know it’s not that simple, but I cannot help but wish for a more engaging and inviting approach to the celebration of Jesus’ supper.

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