THURSDAY
“My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you” (John 15:12)
On Thursday, according to Jesus’ instructions, an upstairs room of a friend–possibly Mark’s parents–was prepared for Jesus and the Disciples to observe the Passover meal. When they arrived, an argument broke out among the disciples as to which one of them should be thought of as the greatest. Jesus seized the occasion to teach them about servanthood, and he did that with a heart-rending object lesson. He dressed as a slave, and washed the feet of each disciple.
During the meal, he identified Judas as the betrayer; Judas then went out into the night to lead the temple guards to Jesus for arrest.
After the meal, Jesus took a piece of bread, gave thanks to God, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in memory of me.” In the same way, he took the cup and said, “This cup is God’s new covenant, sealed with my blood. Whenever you drink it, do so in memory of me.”
He then taught them. “Do not be worried and upset,” Jesus told them. “Believe in God and believe also in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for you. I would not tell you this if it were not so. And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am.” He then taught them about the Holy Spirit who would come and stay with them forever. After a lengthy discourse, he prayed, “Father, the hour has come..” and continued praying that God would bless his followers in the times to come. Then they sang a hymn, and went out to the Mount of Olives.
The disciples were weary and fell asleep as Jesus prayed in Gethsemane. He prayed, “Father, if you will, take this cup of suffering away from me. Not my will, however, but your will be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. In great anguish he prayed even more fervently; his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
By this time, Judas was on his way to the place with the temple soldiers. He would identify Jesus with a kiss and they would arrest him.
March 28, 2013 (Thursday)
Click here for Summary of the Week’s Events
Last year’s blog about Day Five:
Like everyone else in Jerusalem that night, Jesus and his disciples observed the Passover meal. Among Christians today, Thursday of Holy Week has come to be known as “Maundy Thursday.” “Maundy” is Latin for “mandate.” It refers to the “New Commandment” given to them that night by Jesus: “Love one another.” He gave new meaning to the wine and bread of the Passover: thereafter they were to think of him and his body and blood. It would become a new ordinance observed by Christians to this day. He performed the work of a servant by washing their feet, emphasizing that a willingness to humble oneself in service to others is a sign of greatness in the Kingdom of God. He spoke of himself as the way of salvation. They then walked to Gethsemane, where he prayed, “Not my will, but thine be done.” Then came the arrest, trials and crucifixion on the next day.
Like the disciples, we have a craving for “greatness.” Our sinful nature prompts us to climb to the top of the human heap, above our peers, wielding power over others. When Jesus, clothed as a slave, knelt before his disciples to wash their feet, he was teaching them humility, emphasizing the very nature of what it means to belong to Jesus. Jesus emphasized throughout his ministry that true greatness with God means being able to humble ourselves and be of service to others. As he plainly taught us that Thursday night, we are to “love one another.”