Maundy Thursday Devotion – The Last Supper

Maundy Thursday – Last Supper

 1 Corinthians 11.23-26

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

John 13.1-35

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ Peter said to him, ‘You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’ Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason, he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So, if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now, I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” 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.’

Reflection

There are so many themes in the readings set for tonight. As we are unable to gather for a Eucharist this Maundy Thursday, I thought a homely re-imagining of the Last Supper seemed appropriate. I am not suggesting you get out your best dishes and have ten courses but maybe you could do something that makes tonight’s dinner a bit special. Pausing to thank God for the blessing of sharing Christ’s Body and Blood and praying for a time when we can meet to share this together again. Of course, there is nothing to stop you washing the feet of those in your household this evening!

A Passover meal for thirteen – (Wild Goose Publications)

How come it’s always me that gets to lay the table and never the boys?

A Passover meal for thirteen, mum says,

in our upstairs room;

ten courses,

best dishes,

two jars of wine,

and they might need a waitress.

Job for you, Naomi, mum says.

Maybe a bit of pocket money in it –

you’d like that, wouldn’t you?

Me – I’d rather be out playing with my friends,

but what choice do I get?

So here I am

setting the table for thirteen.

Best cloths, Passover dishes, best cutlery – the works!

I wheedled it out of mum that the meal

is for Jesus and his friends,

but I’ve got to keep it secret.

They don’t want their enemies

to burst in and disturb them.

Mum’s a bit scared about there being trouble.

Jesus has been known to liven up a few parties –

the water and the wine mystery

and the perfume in the parlour scandal

to name but two.

But I’m sure mum needn’t worry.

Jesus is our friend,

I’m sure he wouldn’t cause trouble for her.

But all the same

I’m going to keep my eyes and ears open tonight –

I might have a few stories later

to share with my friends.

(Wild Goose Publications Material Used with permission www.ionabooks.com)