Maundy Thursday: Passover and Last Supper

Matthew 26:17–75, Mark 14:12-72, Luke 22:7-62, John 13:1-38

From Bethany, Jesus sent Peter and John ahead to Jerusalem to make preparations for the Passover Feast. After sunset, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples demonstrating how believers are to love one another. Then He shared the feast of Passover with them. As the Lamb of God, Jesus fulfilled the meaning of Passover by giving His body to be broken and His blood to be shed in sacrifice, freeing us from sin and death. Jesus instructed His followers to continually remember His sacrifice by sharing in the elements of bread and wine (Luke 22:19-20).

Later, Jesus and the disciples left the Upper Room and went to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed in agony to the Father. Late that evening, Jesus was betrayed by Judas and arrested by the Sanhedrin. He was taken to Caiaphas, the High Priest, and the council gathered to begin making their case against Jesus.

Lord God, You sent Your Son into the world, and before His hour had come, He washed His disciples’ feet. He was their teacher and Lord, yet He knelt down on the floor, and washed their feet. God, help us learn from His example. Help us do as He has done for us. Strengthen our hands and our wills for love and service. Keep our eyes on Jesus, who, being God, became a Servant for our sake. All glory to Him, Amen.