38th Day of Lent, April 2, 2026

Maundy Thursday –

Luke 22:19-20,44

Maundy comes from a Latin word, mandatum, meaning commandment.  It points to Jesus’ words in John 13:34, where Christ gave the disciples a new commandment.  Here it’s the washing of feet and communion with his friends.

V 19-20:  It’s the Last Supper , Jesus with the 12 disciples in the upper room. The disciples are listening intently to Jesus’ words, confused and anxious, trying to grasp this heavy moment. This sacred ritual is to be remembered by Christians in his sacrifice and the new covenant, a renewed relationship between God and mankind, He is about to establish with his death and resurrection.

Today, the act of sharing Communion with fellow believers reinforces a sense of unity. It can be likened to a family gathering honoring a departed loved one, where stories are shared, memories cherished and favorite dishes enjoyed in remembrance. Christians partake in Communion which reminds them of the price that was paid for their sins and encourage us to live a life that honors the sacrifice Christ made on our behalf.

V 44 – in Garden of Gethsemane. The verse illustrates the intense prayer life of Jesus, emphasizing that prayer through times of agony can lead to profound spiritual breakthroughs.

It tells us to consider our own moments of anguish and how we respond. Imagine knowing its your last day on this earth praying intensely to God to give you more time or to help you through the pain, fear and unknown. Jesus knew his ultimate destination.  Part of our prayer would be helping us to get to heaven, sweating that hard, yet knowing that it is God’s will.  Nothing more you can do but pray.

Prayer during suffering also allows us to connect with God in a deeper level and strengthen our faith while releasing our worries, fears and anxieties.

Maundy Thursday service at Sperry at 7pm