On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” From the Book of Common Prayer pg 368
The Last Supper was a significant event and proclaimed a turning point in God’s plan for the world. In comparing the crucifixion of Jesus to the feast of Passover, we can readily see the redemptive nature of Christ’s death. As symbolized by the original Passover sacrifice in the Old Testament, Christ’s death atones for the sins of His people; His blood rescues us from death and saves us from slavery. Today, the Lord’s Supper is when believers reflect upon Christ’s perfect sacrifice and know that, through our faith in receiving Him, we will be with Him forever. Also, during the Last Supper, Jesus taught the principles of servanthood and forgiveness as He washed His disciples’ feet: “The greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:26–27; John 13:1–20).
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13: 34-35
As you see Maundy Thursday had 3 important aspects.
- The symbolization of His Body and Blood through Communion.
- Jesus taught the principles of servanthood and forgiveness.
- A new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you.
Let us Pray: We pray that every time we celebrate the Eucharist, we remember his passion and the sacred mysteries of his body and blood. Help us never through familiarity to allow the words and actions of our Communion make us apathetic to the true cost of his love and always to surprise us afresh each time we meet him at the Holy Table. We pray this in the Name of the Lamb of God, Jesus our Savior. Amen
Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, is the Christian feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the Canonical gospels. It is the fifth day of Holy Week and is preceded by Holy Wednesday and followed by Good Friday. Maundy Thursday from the old Latin name for the day, “Dies Mandatum,” i.e. “the day of the new commandment” referring to the command given by Christ at the Last Supper, that we should love one another before he washed the feet of his disciples.
Reflections by Bob 