Maundy Thursday

March 28, 2013
Opening Hymns:
378 Amazing Grace http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh378.sht

Scripture Reading:
John 18:1-18

18 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it.

2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”

5 “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied.

“I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6 When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

7 Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they said.

8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9 This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”[a]

10 Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)

11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.

Peter’s First Denial

15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

17 “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.

He replied, “I am not.”

18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.


Message:
From Palm Sunday to Good Friday is such a drastic change. Jesus entered Jerusalem as a King being praised by His disciples and the crowd that was gathered round. He had a supper with His disciples and that is when Judas' actions create a change in the wind. The scripture states: “As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him” (John 13:27). He was going to betray Jesus.

In the scripture for today we see Peter’s first denial. Jesus has been captured and all His faithful disciples have fled. What happened to their faithfulness? What happened to their love? Jesus had known that this would happen all along. Even so, He must have felt so alone having been abandoned, betrayed, and denied by His friends.


I was researching Maundy Thursday, as I don’t know much about why it was given that name. According to Wikipedia:
     “Most scholars agree that the English word Maundy in that name for the day is derived through Middle English and Old French mandé, from the Latin mandatum, the first word of the phrase "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos" ("A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you"), the statement by Jesus in the Gospel of John 13:34 by which Jesus explained to the Apostles the significance of his action of washing their feet” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maundy_Thursday#Derivation_of_the_name_.22Maundy.22)


On this Maundy Thursday we should strive to remember to love one another, as Jesus has loved us. Jesus loves His disciples through betrayal and denial. He loves them even though they have fled. Let us also love one another. Jesus’ death shows the depth of His love for the world. It is time for us to accept that love and share it with the rest of the world.


Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for sharing your everlasting love with each and every one of us. Guide us on this day, that we might spread and share that love with one another. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer


Closing Hymn
294 Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh294.sht



May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.



Go in peace, serve the Lord

Thanks be to God