Passion Week: Maundy Thursday

Thursday was a busy day. The disciples were hastily gathering the food and supplies necessary for the seder meal, not to mention trying to secure a room for the dinner. All was in order when they gathered on Mount Zion that fateful evening. And then they got into an argument, right there at the table. About what? Who of them would be the greatest in the coming kingdom Jesus had promised! At this point the greatest among them became the servant of all of them.

Jesus arose from the table, girded Himself with a towel, and knelt before each of them to wash their feet. Whose feet needed washing the most that night? Whose feet in a matter of hours would be nailed fast to a Roman cross?

• And His were the only feet that left that night unwashed.

At the end of the meal, they sang a hymn and retreated beneath the olive trees of Gethsemane’s garden to pray. Judas came in the shadows, followed by a mob with torches, and planted the kiss of betrayal on Jesus’ cheek. Jesus called him “friend” (Matthew 26:50).

To be attacked by the enemy is one thing, but to be betrayed by one of your closest “friends” is quite another.

Before we are quick to point a finger of accusation at Judas, or Peter, or any of the others who betrayed Jesus that night... we must ask ourselves,

Lord, is it I? — Matthew 26:22

CODE WORD: RELATIONSHIPS

When you think about a good friend today or interact with a group of friends at lunch or dinner, let it remind you that you have a true Friend, the Lord Jesus, who always “sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). Faith is not about rituals or religion. It is about a relationship with Jesus.

PASSION PROCLAMATION

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. — John 15:15

Lord, I am no better than Judas. I may not have betrayed You for thirty pieces of silver, but I am too often quick to turn from my loyalty to You. May Your goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to You this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Excerpted with permission from The Passion Code by O. S. Hawkins, copyright Dr. O. S. Hawkins.

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Your Turn

Let’s pause today, on Maundy Thursday, and reflect on Jesus… how He modeled being a servant when we grasp for positions of honor… how we so often betray even as He sacrifices Himself for us… how He loves us no matter what! Let’s turn our hearts back to Him and commit or recommit our lives to Christ! Amen? Come share your thoughts with us. We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily