Holy Week Devotional
An 8 day devotional, written by members of our church family, dedicated to bringing us through the period of holy week. All leading up to Christs work on the Cross. Join us .
Thursday/Morgan Bourbeau
Devotional #5
Maundy Thursday
Read: John 13:1-38
Why is today called Maundy Thursday? The word “Maundy” originates from the Latin word “mandatum” which means commandment. This is named after the command Jesus gave his disciples: “A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)
As I read the scriptures that describe the events of this day, I think of how sad this day must have been for Jesus to endure as a man. As God he knew certain things about how this day would unfold, but he endured these things as a man.
· He sat down and shared a meal with a man who would betray him to people who wanted to kill him.
· He washed the feet of people who would abandon him at his time of greatest need.
· In a major crisis his closet friends feel asleep instead of staying with him to pray.
· He was beaten and spit upon.
· People told lies about him.
· One of his best friends denied even knowing him.
· He was alone and hurt and afraid.
And yet, what did Jesus do? He loved! He chose to love despite how he must have felt about all the things he faced that were undeserved, unfair, and remarkably painful. He said, even though none of you will do right by me, I love you anyway.
You are going to “fail me,” but I will wash your feet. You are going to “abandon me,” but I’m still going to die for you. I’m going to go through the worst pain and suffering imaginable, not because I need it for me, I’m doing it for you, because you need it. I’m going to demonstrate the greatest act of love anyone has ever done to prove to you how great my love for you truly is. Then, when it is all over and done, you will look back on this day and you will remember what I went through. You will remember the command I gave you…to love one another.
Today Jesus commands you to love an often-unlovable world. When you face circumstances that make it difficult for you to respond in love, remember all that Jesus has done for you. You will only be able to follow the command to love one another if you first believe in and receive the love that Jesus has to offer you.
I pray that today you remember again, or possibly believe for the first time, that Jesus loves you! May the power of the Holy Spirit give you the strength to love one another with the love of Christ.
Morgan Bourbeau
Read: John 13:1-38
Why is today called Maundy Thursday? The word “Maundy” originates from the Latin word “mandatum” which means commandment. This is named after the command Jesus gave his disciples: “A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)
As I read the scriptures that describe the events of this day, I think of how sad this day must have been for Jesus to endure as a man. As God he knew certain things about how this day would unfold, but he endured these things as a man.
· He sat down and shared a meal with a man who would betray him to people who wanted to kill him.
· He washed the feet of people who would abandon him at his time of greatest need.
· In a major crisis his closet friends feel asleep instead of staying with him to pray.
· He was beaten and spit upon.
· People told lies about him.
· One of his best friends denied even knowing him.
· He was alone and hurt and afraid.
And yet, what did Jesus do? He loved! He chose to love despite how he must have felt about all the things he faced that were undeserved, unfair, and remarkably painful. He said, even though none of you will do right by me, I love you anyway.
You are going to “fail me,” but I will wash your feet. You are going to “abandon me,” but I’m still going to die for you. I’m going to go through the worst pain and suffering imaginable, not because I need it for me, I’m doing it for you, because you need it. I’m going to demonstrate the greatest act of love anyone has ever done to prove to you how great my love for you truly is. Then, when it is all over and done, you will look back on this day and you will remember what I went through. You will remember the command I gave you…to love one another.
Today Jesus commands you to love an often-unlovable world. When you face circumstances that make it difficult for you to respond in love, remember all that Jesus has done for you. You will only be able to follow the command to love one another if you first believe in and receive the love that Jesus has to offer you.
I pray that today you remember again, or possibly believe for the first time, that Jesus loves you! May the power of the Holy Spirit give you the strength to love one another with the love of Christ.
Morgan Bourbeau