Passion Week - Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday

The term "Maundy Thursday" is a term commonly used for the day before Good Friday, but its meaning is often not known. For a definition and description of this term, follow this link.

One of the most fascinating events in the life of Jesus took place as the twelve disciples sat around the table at what is commonly called "The Last Supper." Jesus told them that one of them sitting at the table with them would betray him. The disciples were puzzled by this and began to discuss it among themselves. Then Jesus said that it would be the one dipping in the dish with Him. When Judas was pinpointed as the one, Jesus told him to do quickly what he was planning to do. Bold Peter said, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death," (Luke 22:33). But Jesus warned him that before the cock crew in the morning, Peter would deny him three times.

The Last Supper was the time when Jesus wanted to draw His disciples close to him and give them the opportunity to make their final commitment to Him. Surely the betrayal of Judas and the knowledge of Peter's coming denials saddened the Master. But His grief was only about to begin.

Following their intimate time together in the upper room, Jesus took the remaining eleven disciples and went out to the Garden of Gethsemane to prepare for the upcoming events. While Jesus was praying so earnestly that He sweat drops of blood, the disciples were overcome with fatigue and went to sleep. Obviously they did not comprehend the intensity or gravity of the situation that was about to begin for them and for Jesus. I can only imagine that when the people came with swords and spears, they became wide awake immediately.

Jesus' arrest and trial are always difficult for me to contemplate, but once again in this season of the year I must. But we'll leave that for tomorrow's discussion. Until then I remain -

Pilgrim on the way