Lenten Devotional
-This week, I am sharing a Maundy Thursday reflection that I wrote last year(2020), when we were in the early stages of the pandemic. It was in the Lenten devotional, but did not print as a complete piece.
-Pastor Jen
Maundy Thursday reflection.
When I was younger I had no idea what this day meant.
Today, I understand it so deeply, it makes me weep.
This Holy week, I am sure that many of us are feeling our emotions in stronger ways than before.
On this night, Jesus knew. He knew that he would be betrayed, and by whom. He knew that he would be arrested. He knew that he would suffer and die for the sins of the world.
He shared a meal with his disciples.
Luke 22:14-21 When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table.[a] 15 Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. 16 For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”
17 Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.”
19 He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
20 After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.
21 “But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. 22 For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him.”
He prayed to his Father.
Luke 22:42“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
On this night, everything falls into place, even as everything seems to be falling apart.
Right now, today, on this very night, our world feels dark and it is hard to believe that things will end well.
We will get through this time of distance and fear and illness.
We wait apart, and it is hard.
On this night, we reflect on the final days of our Savior.
Hold on, because the Son will rise.
