HOLY WEEK: Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is the most solemn and somber of days in the Christian calendar.  It marks the day that Jesus gave the Last Supper, prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, and was betrayed by Judas.

The term "Maundy" is a reference back to the Latin "mandatum" - i.e. "command" - which comes from John 13:34-35:  "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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”"

Why is this day more somber than "Good Friday" on which Jesus actually died?  Because that day is made "good" by the redemption accomplished by his death on the cross.  Thursday, on the other hand, is just one difficult moment for Jesus after another with no relief in sight.  In light of this, it is traditional for Maundy Thursday services to end in silence, with people leaving the church without talking.

HOLY WEEK: Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is the most solemn and somber of days in the Christian calendar.  It marks the day that Jesus gave the Last Supper, prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, and was betrayed by Judas.

The term "Maundy" is a reference back to the Latin "mandatum" - i.e. "command" - which comes from John 13:34-35:  "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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”"

Why is this day more somber than "Good Friday" on which Jesus actually died?  Because that day is made "good" by the redemption accomplished by his death on the cross.  Thursday, on the other hand, is just one difficult moment for Jesus after another with no relief in sight.  In light of this, it is traditional for Maundy Thursday services to end in silence, with people leaving the church without talking.

TOPICS FROM PRACTICE: Why did Judas betray Jesus?

At practice on Sunday, we discussed Judas's betrayal of Jesus.  We talked about the various theories for why he did it - that he'd lost faith, that he was trying to force Jesus's hand, that he was greedy - and ultimately all scripture tells us clearly is "Satan entered him".  This logically raises the question "If Satan entered Judas and drove what he did, was Judas set up?"  This is an especially important question in light of Matthew's clear demonstration that Jesus was in control all the time.

I recommend this short article on the topic, if you've ben wondering about this.  It's especially appropriate today - "Maundy Thursday"- as we remember the Last Supper and the subsequent betrayal.

Jesus chose Judas to be a part of the twelve, but yet knew he would betray him (Mark 14:18, 21; John 6:70). Luke tells us in Luke 22:3 that, “Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot.”
So, was Judas a mindless zombie, set on an uncontrollable mission by the hand of God to betray Jesus?
No.
God did not force Judas’ hand. Judas made conscious choices every step of the way and eventually he chose to betray Jesus.