WELCOME and THANKS
OPENING COMMENTS
A different format for tonight’s Prayer Meeting … given it’s Holy Thursday (a.k.a Maundy Thursday), the night before Good Friday.
So our focus tonight will be on some of what happened the night before Jesus Christ died.
A few comments re: Maundy Thursday …
- Maundy Thursday is so called because the word “Maundy” comes from the Latin word “mandatum,” meaning “commandment” or “mandate”. This refers to the new commandment Jesus gave to his disciples at the Last Supper: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34).
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The Last Supper:
Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, a meal Jesus shared with his apostles the night before his crucifixion.
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The New Commandment:
During the Last Supper, Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment to love one another, just as he loved them.
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Foot Washing:
Jesus also demonstrated humility by washing his disciples’ feet, an act of service that is also remembered on Maundy Thursday.
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The Legacy:The name “Maundy Thursday” reflects the importance of Jesus’ commandment to love and serve others, a message that Christians continue to reflect upon on this day.
THEME and SELECTED READINGS for tonight’s meeting
- The theme for this Maundy Thursday is we love because God first loved us.
- The selected readings are Luke 22:14-30, John 13:2-17, 31-35 and John 17.
Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper
14 When the hour had come, He sat down, and the [a]twelve apostles with Him. 15 Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
17 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, [b]I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. 21 But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. 22 And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”
23 Then they began to question among themselves, which of them it was who would do this thing.
The Disciples Argue About Greatness
24 Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. 25 And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ 26 But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. 27 For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.
28 “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Our reading from the Gospel, reminds us of how Jesus washes the feet of the disciples, offering himself as a humble servant, willing to go to the lowest position to express his love. As the disciples respond to his humility with amazement, Jesus gives them the command to love one another as he has loved them.
John 13:2-17 ESV
2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it round his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped round him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterwards you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet,[a] but is completely clean. And you[plural] are clean, but not every one of you[plural].” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant[bondservant] is not greater than his master(or his lord), nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
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- What had Jesus done to them?
- washed their feet
- set an example
- What had Jesus done to them?
John 13:31-35
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Jesus Prays for Himself
17 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He [M shall]should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together [Lit. alongside]with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
Jesus Prays for His Disciples
6 “I have [revealed]manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7 Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. 8 For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.
9 “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 10 And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, *keep[NU, M keep them through Your name which You have given Me] through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. 12 While I was with them [e]in the world, I kept them in [NU Your name which You gave Me. And I guarded them; (or it;)]Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is [destroyed]lost except the son of [destruction]perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify [Set them apart] them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.
* 1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance [b]incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Jesus Prays for All Believers
20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who [j] will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
In the second half of our meeting tonight … we’ll be remembering the establishment of the New Covenant as the apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 11:23-, reminds the church of how Jesus established the new covenant in his blood, offering his own body and blood in our place.
John 13:31-35
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Greater Love Has No One
1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ESV
Tonight, we remember the self–offering of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are reminded of our Lord’s covenant with His people, the Body of Christ. Jesus has declared that He is ours and that we are His. This is a bond of love ratified in His own self–offering, as He allowed His body to be crucified and His blood to pour out for our sakes. Jesus wants us to remember His love for us, so that we will love one another as He has loved us.
In the apostle Paul’s day, the church in Corinth faced challenges when it came to living out their faith in a corrupt and decadent society. As we also face many of these same challenges today, we want to listen closely to Paul’s admonition to the church through this letter written so many centuries ago.
Let’s read 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ESV.
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.
There were some serious problems within this fellowship in Corinth. Cultural norms and traditions were brought into their meetings and impacted how they treated one another. The recognition of social status was being practiced by the members towards one another. Some were given preference over others. Those who were well to do were inconsiderate of those who were poor. The members were not observing God’s commands to love one another. There was disunity and those who were less fortunate were suffering. Paul was grieved by how the members mistreated one another.
The gathering of members around the table of fellowship was meant to create unity and feelings of warm affection for one another. But instead, this gathering had become a place where those who had abundance overindulged, and those who had little went hungry. This was the exact opposite of what should have happened within the Body of Christ. And it certainly wasn’t what Jesus intended when he set aside the practice of communion for us to observe in remembrance.
So, the apostle Paul took the believers back to the basics, reminding them of what Jesus had originally instituted on that last night before his crucifixion:
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:23–24 ESV
Notice Paul states that Jesus gave this instruction. So, we observe it because it is important to the Lord. Jesus, after breaking the bread, said, “This is my body, which is for you.” Jesus, who told us he is the bread of life, says that in eating this bread we are partaking of his body. In this gathering on Maundy Thursday, we are reminded that each of us, in Christ, is a member of Christ’s Body. Our participation in Christ’s Body is by faith, trusting in Jesus’ self–offering in our place, on our behalf. When we eat the communion bread, we are rehearsing anew our inclusion in the Body of Christ.
Each of us is a valued member of the Body of Christ. We all find ourselves at the same place at the table. We receive our status, our value, our worth, our inclusion from Jesus Christ. He is the Bread who includes us, and who sustains us, in His very own life with His Father in the Spirit.
Let’s take a moment now and consider these questions:
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- How has God uniquely made and gifted you?
- Do you recognize your own particular place within the Body of Christ and are you actively sharing in what Jesus is doing?
- Are you treating others as you desire to be treated as a valued member of the Body of Christ?
Pause for a moment between each question to allow time for meditation. Then offer a prayer of acknowledgement of our need for God’s grace and gratitude for His forgiveness.
- Ask Jesus to help each person to forgive those hurts that they have experienced within the Body of Christ.
- Thank God for every person He has brought into the Body of Christ.
- Ask God’s Spirit to empower each believer to treat the others as valued member of the Body of Christ.
Moving on to the next part of this passage:
In the same way also He took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:25 ESV
Notice how Jesus uses the cup of wine normally offered at this meal to do something new — to inaugurate the new covenant in His blood. Jesus knew that soon He would be shedding His blood on behalf of all. It was human hands that would shed His blood — human hands He had designed to show love to God and to others. It was never God’s desire that any blood ever be spilled through violence. So, Jesus took His own blood that would be spilled through violence and used it to bind our hearts and lives with His own through covenant love. We remember the amazing love of God each time we drink from the communion cup and are reminded of His covenant of love ratified in Jesus’ shed blood.
When we gather as God’s people, we have an opportunity to demonstrate to the world that there is a better way — the way of Christ–centered, self–giving love. Consider this question: Do our actions and words as we gather with other believers or with those who do not yet believe demonstrate the love of God?
Pause for a minute after asking the question to provide a time of meditation.
Offer a prayer of acknowledgement of our need for God’s grace and gratitude for his forgiveness. Ask God’s Spirit to empower each believer to love God and love others in the way he designed us to, as members of the Body of Christ.
The apostle Paul finished his comments regarding the practice of communion in this way:
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26 ESV
Do you realize that each time you eat the bread and drink the wine or grape juice of communion, you proclaim the Lord’s death? In the simple act of eating and drinking with your siblings in Christ, you tell the world about the death of Jesus and all that it means for us. And we are encouraged by Paul to do this and keep on doing this until the Lord comes.
This is why it is so important that when we gather as the Body of Christ, we do so in Christ–centered, self–giving love and in unity. In John 13:34–35, Jesus told his disciples that others will know we are followers of Christ because of our love for one another. The members in the church at Corinth needed to be reminded of their foundational faith in Christ — Jesus is the One who brought them together and made them one. So, they needed to act like it. They needed to care for each other the way Christ cared for them.
And this was the very reason Jesus came, to unite us and bind us together with cords of love, in his own broken body and shed blood. Every one of us was created and redeemed so that we may love God and love one another. In sending us his Spirit, Jesus includes us in his own right relationship with his Father in the Spirit, and Jesus unites us with one another in the Spirit. We share God’s love with one another because it is Christ in us by the Spirit who enables us to do this.
Taking in the bread and the wine as we have done is one way we are reminded that it is Christ in us by the Holy Spirit who enables us to love God and love one another — to be who God created us to be. And taking communion together reminds us that one day, when Jesus returns in glory, we will be glorified and able to share together in the celebration of the divine wedding banquet of our Lord in new heaven and earth. This is good news! It is such good news that we want to continue to proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Who will you invite to join with you next time you gather with the Body of Christ?
Small Group Discussion Questions
- Does a person’s status, value or worth in the sight of this world affect how we behave toward them?
- How might we see them differently when looking at them through the lens of Jesus Christ?
- What is one way we can demonstrate God’s love as we gather for communion with other believers?
- How does gathering as a group in the presence of God resemble a family gathering around a banquet table?
- How might this be a negative experience for us?
- What are some ways it can be made a positive one?
- What makes the difference between the two?
- When we eat the bread and drink the wine in communion, how does this resemble our receiving of the Holy Spirit as a gift from God?
CLOSING PRAYERS