Total Readings: Matthew 26:21-56; Mark 14:18-52; Luke 22:15-23, 31-34, 39-53; John 13:1-38, 16:29-33, 18:1-12; I Corinthians 11:23-25
Readings Explained:
John 13:1-20 = Washing the Disciples’ Feet
Matthew 26:21-25; Mark 14:18-21; Luke 22:21-23; John 13:21-30 = Jesus Foretells His Betrayal
Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:15-20; I Corinthians 11:23-25 = The Last Supper
Matthew 26:30-35; Mark 14:26-31; Luke 22:31-34; John 13:36-38 = Peter’s Denial Predicted
John 16:29-33 = Prediction of Disciples’ Flight
John 17:1-26 = Jesus’ Intercessory Prayer
Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 18:1 = Jesus’ Prayer for Himself (Gethsemane)
Matthew 26:47-50; Mark 14:43-46; Luke 22:47-48; John 18:2-9 = Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
Matthew 26:51-55; Mark 14:47-49; Luke 22:49-53; John 18:10-12 = Peter Cuts Off Malchus’ Ear
Matthew 26:56-56; Mark 14:50-52 = The Flight of the Disciples
Some extra explanations:
Thursday of Holy Week is called Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday. It commemorates the Last Supper, where Jesus established the Eucharist and washed his disciples’ feet. The term “Maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum (commandment), referring to Jesus’ instruction to love and serve one another.
Eucharist is a table of thanksgiving. Deep chara joy is found only at the table of the euCHARisteo; the table of thanksgiving. Jesus established the Eucharist as a central symbol of Christianity when He offered His disciples to take the bread, the wine, and to remember. “Do this in remembrance of Me.” Remember and give thanks.
Some Thoughts:
Re – membering with thanks is what causes us to trust and to believe.
So many things to remember in the readings for today! The washing of the disciples’ feet, The Last Supper, Gethsemane, the intercessory prayers of Jesus…
But don’t miss this small verse in Matthew 26:30! “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.” Even though Jesus knew what was ahead, He lifted His voice in a song of praise. Singing praises can carry our souls right into the presence of the Lord. You cannot spell “praise” without spelling “raise.” Praise raises our thoughts to Him. Praise raises our eyes above the temporal to the eternal. Praise raises us to fellowship with Him who has experienced everything we experience.
There’s a song written by Matt Redman called “Songs in the Night” where the lyrics read: “I will sing songs in the night, praise in the storm. You’re God in it all. And I will stand. I’ll be still and know whatever may come, You’re God in it all.” Praise raises us to a place of thankfulness and even “chara” (deep joy) in the middle of the storm.
On this Maundy Thursday as we remember, let’s remember with praise and gratitude all that Jesus has done to bring us salvation.
Prayer:
“So I throw up my hands And praise You again and again, ‘Cause all that I have is a Hallelujah,
Hallelujah! And I know it’s not much, but I’ve nothing else fit for a King. Except for a Hallelujah, Hallelujah.”
“Songs in the Night” – Matt Redman, 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXPgVL-5LG0&list=RDxXPgVL-5LG0&start_radio=1
“Gratitude” – Brandon Lake, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQdfs5S6jyA&list=RDdQdfs5S6jyA&start_radio=1
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