Thursday, April 1, 2010

Maundy Thursday

"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.'

Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

-- Matthew 26:26-28

Maundy Thursday is a sobering service, a recognition of what is to come. We remember Jesus' final night with his disciples before He is betrayed. They celebrate what we now call The Lord's Supper. He washed His disciples feet. He offered bread and told them it was His body. He offered wine and told them it was His blood.

How could the disciples possibly understand what awaited? No matter that He tried to explain it, how could they ever understand the sacrifice that was to come? How can we ever fully understand a love that is so deep, so perfect, that it gave a Son to save us all.

The church service tonight was moving to the point of tears. The choir presentation was powerful. It was so easy to get caught up in the music, then suddenly they yelled, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" And suddenly we're all transported to that day, that time, caught up in a frenzy that will kill one man and fulfill a prophecy from God. God's Son died on a cross and we were the reason why.

We are called to the altar to accept a small wafer and a tiny bit of juice. We kneel. We remember. How can we ever thank Him?

Two pastors step forward. They drape a black cloth around the wooden cross. One lifts a crown of thorns and hangs it from a nail. Melancholy bells sound as the lights slowly dim. People file out of the church, somber and aware.