Joye Angel

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Matthew 26:26-30

Welcome to Maundy Thursday!

Today, Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. On the day that He was arrested, He was teaching the disciples. As He was bringing in a new covenant with His death, He was instituting a new reflection and remembrance of His sacrifice. The disciples did not understand the significance of that moment or how the Last Supper would be one of the most recognized paintings.

And Judas ate. He sat at the table with Jesus. Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him and let him eat anyway.

After the supper was over, Jesus demonstrated humbleness for the disciples by washing their feet. In John 13:12-17 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

The Lord is our example. To the very end, He was imparting wisdom and teaching. He loves us that much.

After the washing of feet, Jesus arose to pray. We see this in Matthew 26:36-46 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

We see the human side of Jesus. This shows us that Jesus felt the same things we do. He went through the same things we do. His soul was sorrowful. He asked the Father if there was another way, but He also said for the Father’s will to be done. He loves us enough to go to the cross.

As you reflect this week, think about what Jesus was doing on His last week. He was doing the Father’s will. He was teaching. He was loving us. If there is something that God has place on your life to do, today is the day to answer the call.