April 9, 2020 –Maundy Thursday Devotion by Rev. Jessica Johnson
United in Jesus Christ
Lectionary Readings for Maundy Thursday 2020
Devotion – Hebrews 12:1-2
Today is Maundy Thursday, and it commemorates the Last Supper that Jesus had with the disciples. There He showed humility and service by washing their feet. Jesus told them to remember Him with the wine and the bread, which we now celebrate as the Eucharist or Communion. Jesus also warned them of the betrayal of Judas and that Peter would deny Him. Jesus tries to explain to the disciples that He would not be with them much longer.
Later that night, Jesus asks Peter, James, and John to come and pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. However, they don’t turn out to be the greatest of company, because they keep falling asleep. In the meantime, Jesus is experiencing sorrow and distress. If ever He needed His friends, it was that night. Then, Judas came with the priests and elders, and Jesus was arrested. It is no doubt that Jesus probably felt very alone in the Garden of Gethsemane that night.
Maybe you feel alone now? But even in this time of social distancing, we are never alone. God is always with us, and Jesus promised the help of the Holy Spirit. Beyond that, we have Christians all over the world. Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) states:
Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Our unity in Christ binds us together even if physical distance keeps us apart. Jesus died on the Cross, so that we may live. It is in Jesus that we can rest all our hopes. We are bonded with other Christians through our unity of faith in Jesus Christ. So, even if you may feel alone right now, just know that you are not.
Closing
I encourage you to keep building one another up. Some of Jesus’s final words to the disciples at the Last Supper are found in John 13:31-35. In that passage, Jesus commands them to love one another. He gives them this command immediately after telling them of Judas’s betrayal. Even though His friend is betraying Him, Jesus is encouraging them to continue to love. Jesus has one of His worst nights ever where He probably feels very alone, but He is encouraging His followers to show love to one another. How can you speak life and love into others right now? How can you assure others that they are not alone? What are some ways in these times of social distancing can we still demonstrate unity in our faith in Christ? Trust God and know that you are not alone.
United in Jesus Christ
Lectionary Readings for Maundy Thursday 2020
- Exodus 12:1-14
- Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
- John 13:1-17, 31-35
Devotion – Hebrews 12:1-2
Today is Maundy Thursday, and it commemorates the Last Supper that Jesus had with the disciples. There He showed humility and service by washing their feet. Jesus told them to remember Him with the wine and the bread, which we now celebrate as the Eucharist or Communion. Jesus also warned them of the betrayal of Judas and that Peter would deny Him. Jesus tries to explain to the disciples that He would not be with them much longer.
Later that night, Jesus asks Peter, James, and John to come and pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. However, they don’t turn out to be the greatest of company, because they keep falling asleep. In the meantime, Jesus is experiencing sorrow and distress. If ever He needed His friends, it was that night. Then, Judas came with the priests and elders, and Jesus was arrested. It is no doubt that Jesus probably felt very alone in the Garden of Gethsemane that night.
Maybe you feel alone now? But even in this time of social distancing, we are never alone. God is always with us, and Jesus promised the help of the Holy Spirit. Beyond that, we have Christians all over the world. Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) states:
Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Our unity in Christ binds us together even if physical distance keeps us apart. Jesus died on the Cross, so that we may live. It is in Jesus that we can rest all our hopes. We are bonded with other Christians through our unity of faith in Jesus Christ. So, even if you may feel alone right now, just know that you are not.
Closing
I encourage you to keep building one another up. Some of Jesus’s final words to the disciples at the Last Supper are found in John 13:31-35. In that passage, Jesus commands them to love one another. He gives them this command immediately after telling them of Judas’s betrayal. Even though His friend is betraying Him, Jesus is encouraging them to continue to love. Jesus has one of His worst nights ever where He probably feels very alone, but He is encouraging His followers to show love to one another. How can you speak life and love into others right now? How can you assure others that they are not alone? What are some ways in these times of social distancing can we still demonstrate unity in our faith in Christ? Trust God and know that you are not alone.
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