Holy (Maundy) Thursday
The Last Supper: A Glimpse of Sacrificial Love
Mark 14:17-25 (NIV)
"When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, 'Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.' They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, 'Surely you don’t mean me?' 'It is one of the Twelve,' he replied, 'one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 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.' While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take it; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 'This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,' he said to them. 'Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.'"
Devotion:
In Mark 14:17-25, we are invited into the intimate setting of the Last Supper, where Jesus shares a final meal with His beloved disciples. As they recline together, Jesus shares a sobering prediction of betrayal, underscoring the weight of His impending sacrifice.
In breaking bread and passing the cup, Jesus initiates a profound act of substitutionary sacrifice. Each piece of bread broken and sip taken foreshadows the sacrifice He will soon make on the cross, bearing the weight of our sins. This sacrificial love is deeply personal, reaching into the depths of our hearts.
Reflection Question:
Consider the depth of Jesus' sacrificial love demonstrated in the Last Supper. How does His willingness to bear our sins personally impact your understanding of His love for you? How does this inspire you to respond in gratitude and sacrificial love towards others in your life?
Further Reading
The events of Holy Thursday are recorded in John 13:1-17:26
Mark 14:17-25 (NIV)
"When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, 'Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.' They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, 'Surely you don’t mean me?' 'It is one of the Twelve,' he replied, 'one who dips bread into the bowl with me. 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.' While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take it; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 'This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,' he said to them. 'Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.'"
Devotion:
In Mark 14:17-25, we are invited into the intimate setting of the Last Supper, where Jesus shares a final meal with His beloved disciples. As they recline together, Jesus shares a sobering prediction of betrayal, underscoring the weight of His impending sacrifice.
In breaking bread and passing the cup, Jesus initiates a profound act of substitutionary sacrifice. Each piece of bread broken and sip taken foreshadows the sacrifice He will soon make on the cross, bearing the weight of our sins. This sacrificial love is deeply personal, reaching into the depths of our hearts.
Reflection Question:
Consider the depth of Jesus' sacrificial love demonstrated in the Last Supper. How does His willingness to bear our sins personally impact your understanding of His love for you? How does this inspire you to respond in gratitude and sacrificial love towards others in your life?
Further Reading
The events of Holy Thursday are recorded in John 13:1-17:26