Day 5: Maundy Thursday

This devotional comes from BibleProject

Jesus and his disciples are reclining around a knee-high table in a quiet upstairs room near the heart of Jerusalem. They’re enjoying good wine. Aromas of roasted lamb, herbs, and bread mix with the smoke of oil lamps, and everyone feels the uniqueness of the moment. As they share this Passover meal, each participant eats and drinks a story they belong to. In a way, this ritual is like transcending time to enter into the first Passover moment in Egypt while bringing the story into their present world. And during this sacred meal, Jesus offers a new mandate—a new command.

We often celebrate this day as Maundy Thursday, employing the Latin term mandatum, which means “mandate” or “commandment.” Jesus says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34). This is a new chapter in Israel’s long story, and he invites them to eat and drink this new chapter in the story along with the old. Jesus will instruct his followers to continue remembering him when they have meals like this, which includes remembering his forgiving, nonviolent way of love toward everyone in the world. We are made to love, forgive, and bless others like Jesus does, and we eat and drink his story every time we participate in remembrance celebrations like communion meals, Lord’s Supper celebrations, the Eucharist, and sharing meals with others. We are joining him in this upper room moment as he joins us in our own.

To love one another in Jesus’ way means a willingness to give our own lives in love for all—something Jesus demonstrates the next day, Good Friday. And what does it mean for Jesus to give his life for others? How does his death bring life to humanity? Take a closer look in today’s video.

BibleProject ~ How God Deals With Evil Without Destroying Humanity

If the embedded video won't play, you can go straight to YouTube here to watch it.

Matthew 26:17-30

17 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” 18 He answered, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Teacher says, ‘My time is near. I will keep the Passover with My disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining with the twelve disciples. 21 And while they were eating, He said to them, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray Me.” 22 They were deeply grieved and began to ask Him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” 23 Jesus answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with Me will betray Me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed. It would be better for him if he had not been born.” 25 Then Judas, who would betray Him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said it yourself.” 26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.” 27 Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom.” 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

You can read the entire chapter here

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

You can read the entire chapter here

Prayer* for Maundy Thursday: Almighty Father, whose most dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it in thankful remembrance of Jesus Christ our Savior, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

• All prayers in this reading plan are from the Book of Common Prayer (2019).