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.

What is "Maundy" Thursday?

What Does "Maundy" Mean?

Derived from the Latin word mandatum, meaning "commandment," Maundy refers to the commands Jesus gave his disciples at the Last Supper: to love with humility by serving one another and to remember his sacrifice.

Matthew 27:17-29:  The Last Supper

17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”

18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate 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 at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”

22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?”

23 Jesus replied, “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 who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?”

Jesus answered, “You have said so.”

26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he 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 from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

TOPICS FROM PRACTICE: Holy Week & the Gospel of Matthew

This is another one of those posts where the "topic from practice" isn't a question asked before but one that we plan to cover in the next practice.  Tomorrow begins "Holy Week"- the 8 (modern) days encapsulating Jesus's ministry in Jerusalem, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter.  Each gospel presents this period a little differently, so let's take a quick look at how Matthew deals with this amazing week.

• Sunday - Palm Sunday & the Triumphal Entry:  Matthew 21:1-11
• Monday - Cleaning of the Temple:  Matthew 21:12-17
• Tuesday - A Day of Parables:  Matthew 22:1-14, Matthew 25:1-28
• Wednesday - Jesus Anointed:  Matthew 26:6-13, Judas Makes his Deal:  Matthew 26:14-16   
• "Maundy" Thursday - The Last Supper:  Matthew 26:17-30, Jesus's Arrest:  Matthew 26:36-55
• "Good" Friday - Sanhedrin Trial: Matthew 26:57-68, Roman Trial:  Matthew 27:11-31, Crucifixion & Burial: Matthew 27:32-61
• "Silent" Saturday:  The Bible says nothing
• "Resurrection/Easter" Sunday:  Matthew 28:1-10

Consider reading thru and studying each of these passes on the appropriate day during this upcoming week.  It may deepen your understanding and appreciating for the material.

Here's a printable PDF of this list to keep in your Bible.