Thursday, April 5
Maundy Thursday...
Tonight is the Thursday before Easter. Traditionally celebrated as Maundy Thursday.I grew up in the church. Nobody ever mentioned anything with the word ‘maundy’ in it…ever.
Wikipedia defines it this way: On this day four events are commemorated: the washing of the Disciples' feet by Jesus Christ, the institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper, the agony of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the betrayal of Christ by Judas Iscariot.
Of all the events surrounding Resurrection Day, this day, this Thursday, this last meal Jesus shares with His dearest friends is by far my favorite to teach.
I have great memories of 300 people or so crowded in a room that could legally hold 225, sitting on the floor, around long tables, eating a traditional Passover meal (lamb, haroshes, & bitter herbs included), and studying John 13 at Purdue University every year on this day…
…trying to imagine Jesus and His friends celebrating their own Passover meal, Him giving up on words and taking a towel and washing their feet. How Jesus tried to comfort them and console them, even though they had no idea what really He was getting ready to do.
We cannot miss the emotion of that evening. The tension at this sensing of betrayal, the intimacy shared by these men, the deep longing and unbelievable love Jesus had for these dear friends.
If I had to the chance to pick…of all the scenes from the life of Jesus…this is the one I would have liked to have been witness to more than any other.
Mark Nelson at 9:49 PM 2comments
2 Comments
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at 11:59 PM
Nicole said... Mark, Your post reminds me the one thing I covet from my Anglican and Catholic friends..their deep knowledge of and adherence to the church calendar.
Maundy Thursday really hits home to me to...it's like all the meals with my closest friends where we've had important life changing things to face..added together and multiplied exponentially.-
at 1:43 PM
Betsy said...
thanks for sharing, i had never thought of this before.