Holy Week Thought of the Day !! (Day 4)

Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.^*
Luke 22:19-20 (NRSV)

Today is Maundy Thursday, also known as "Holy Thursday". According to Wikepedia.com:

On this day four events are commemorated: the washing of the Disciples' Feet by Jesus Christ, the institution of the Mystery 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.

My dear friend Andy Stoddard wrote a nice piece about this today that I'd like to share for our Maundy Thursday "Thought of the Day !!"

Today is Maundy Thursday. This is the day we remember the betrayal of our Lord, and His giving to us the sacrament of Holy Communion.

It’s a bitter sweet day. There is joy for the gift of communion. In this meal, we receive grace, and we are drawn closer to God, and to each other. It is a powerful moment for us, and for the church, to join together in receiving this meal. Jesus told us that He is the bread and the Wine, and when we eat this meal, He is there with us. In our hearts, His presence is made known as we receive this meal.

There is the sorrow of His betrayal. Judas, one of the 12, one of His friends, betrayed Him to His enemies. In this time, instead of standing with Jesus, he abandoned him.

But, lest we think that Judas was the only betrayer, let us also remember that Peter, one of the very closest to Jesus, on this night, 3 times denied Jesus name, cursing His name. It was not just Judas that betrayed. It was Peter as well.

And, He was taken to the cross.

And killed.

For sin.

Mine, and yours.

He suffered and died.

May we remember. Today is Maundy Thursday. Our Lord endured much today, and tomorrow. May we not forget. May we take time to remember.

You can read this, and other thoughts, on my blog - http://atstod.blogspot.com
--
Andrew "Andy" Thomas Stoddard


Have a holy "Maundy / Holy Thursday", and prepare yourself for the agony of Good Friday where we remember the death of our Lord for us.

In the love of Christ,
greg