Maundy Thursday
Scripture: Matthew
26:1-75
This week’s devotions
follow a different pattern. They will focus on Gospel accounts of the last week
of Jesus’ life. I encourage you to read each of the readings slowly, perhaps
out loud, and to meditate on Jesus’ love in his actions. The prayers offered
are from the early twentieth century and variations on them are still used in
worship.
Teaching
This reading backtracks a little into the Last Supper, but
it includes things that John did not in his gospel; most importantly the
institution of the Lord’s Supper. From there it records Judas’s betray, Jesus’
trial, and Peter’s denial. Each step along the way we see Jesus moving toward
his crucifixion and it is as if his sorrows accumulate. But he bears forward,
humbly and masterfully enduring it all to rescue us from our sin.
Life
Betrayal and denial play an important role in this reading.
When we examine our lives we, too, can see where we have betrayed and denied
Jesus. Such realizations sadden us, but they should be seen so that we
recognize that this is why Jesus died; to save those who betray and deny. He is
always faithful and steadfast in his love, and we live humbly and joyfully in
his forgiveness. Where you see betrayals and denials, confess them to God and
be forgiven.
Prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ, our only
Mediator and Redeemer, we thank Thee that in the night in which Thou wast
betrayed Thou didst institute for us the holy Sacrament of Thy true body and
blood as a perpetual memorial of Thy death, a solemn pledge of Thy mercy and
continual presence, and an effectual means of grace.
Thou are our Passover in this
Holy Supper, and by giving us Thy body to eat and Thy blood to drink dost admit
us into the innermost sanctuary of Thy presence and unto such wonderful
communion with Thee that we are very members of Thy body, and dost impart and
seal to us all the merits of Thy most blessed death, the forgiveness of sin,
life, and salvation, that so, even as Thou art, we are righteous and acceptable
in the sight of God.
O Lord, we have in no wise deserved,
and can never sufficiently thank Thee for Thy goodness. We beseech Thee,
however, Thou wouldst strengthen us through this salutary gift in faith towards
Thee, and enable us daily so to appropriate and experience the blessings of Thy
Passion, that we may heartily praise Thee for our redemption, and from day to
day be more intimately united unto Thee by faith and love.
Kindle in us evermore such
fervent longing for blessed communion with Thee in the Holy Supper that we may
come often to Thy Table. Do Thou also, by Thy Holy Spirit, work in us true
repentance, a lively and steadfast faith in Thy gracious promises, a sincere
desire to be in perfect charity with all men, and the earnest purpose to amend
our sinful lives, that we may be meet and worthy partakers of the holy
Sacrament and, with full pardon of our past sins, be quickened in the way of
righteousness.
Sanctify us by Thy holy
indwelling, renewing and transforming us into Thine image, that, being instant
in prayer and loving Thee with our whole heart, we may serve Thee in holiness
and pureness of living, and give Thee continual thanks for all Thy goodness.
Add Thy blessing to the right
use of the means of grace wheresoever men keep the remembrance of Thy death,
till Thou come.
Abide in Thy Church with Thy
gracious presence, and let her at all times be a faithful keeper and dispenser
of the heavenly treasures entrusted to her for those who believe in Thee.
May Thy Holy Supper be a source
of comfort to the penitent, a means of enrichment to the poor in spirit, to the
sick a sweet relief from the bitterness of pain, and to the dying a pledge of
their inheritance with the saints in light.
Let Thy Word and Sacrament
strengthen our souls during the days of our pilgrimage on earth, until
hereafter we shall partake of Thy Supper with Thee in Thy Father’s kingdom.
Amen.[1]
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