MAUNDY THURSDAY
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Preparation for Passover
On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrifice the Passover lamb, his disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare the Passover so that you may eat it?”
So he sent two of his disciples and told them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Wherever he enters, tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make the preparations for us there.” So the disciples went out, entered the city, and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
Betrayal at the Passover
When evening came, he arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”
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They began to be distressed and to say to him one by one, “Surely not I?”
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He said to them, “It is one of the Twelve—the one who is dipping bread in the bowl with me. For the Son of Man will go just as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for him if he had not been born.”
The First Lord’s Supper
As they were eating, he took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Peter’s Denial Predicted
Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will fall away, because it is written:
I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.
But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”
Peter told him, “Even if everyone falls away, I will not.”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to him, “today, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” But he kept insisting, “If I have to die with you, I will never deny you.” And they all said the same thing.
The Prayer in the Garden
Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he told his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake.” He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.”
Then he came and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you stay awake one hour? Stay awake and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Once again he went away and prayed, saying the same thing. And again he came and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open. They did not know what to say to him.
Then he came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The time has come. See, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up; let’s go. See, my betrayer is near.”
Judas’s Betrayal of Jesus
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had given them a signal. “The one I kiss,” he said, “he’s the one; arrest him and take him away under guard.” So when he came, immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. They took hold of him and arrested him.
One of those who stood by [the one called Simon Peter] drew his sword, struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his ear.
Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as if I were a criminal, to capture me? Every day I was among you, teaching in the temple, and you didn’t arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” Then they all deserted him and ran away.
Mark 14:12-49
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PRAYER POINTS
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1) Ask Jesus for direction and for the grace to follow Him.
(reference for further reading: Psalm 25:4-5; Proverbs 3:5-7; Isaiah 30:21; John 12:26; John 16:13)
Help us, Jesus, to follow Your directives rather than choosing our path and asking you to bless it. Let us first seek and receive direction from You. Order our steps and keep us on the straight path. Lead us in the way that is everlasting.
2) Express reverence and awe at the sacrifice of Jesus. (ref. John 15:13; Romans 5:8; 1 John 3:16; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:18-21)
Thank you, Jesus, for allowing Your flesh to be torn and Your blood to be spilled for our redemption. We take the bread and the cup in remembrance of Your great sacrifice and in anticipation of the great wedding feast to come! We say, “Amen, Come Lord Jesus!
3) Express our willingness to know Jesus on the path of suffering.
(ref. Matt. 10:22; John 15:18-21; 2 Cor. 4:7-11; Phil. 3:7-11; 2 Tim. 1:8, 2:3-4)
Jesus, we long to know You in every way, even along the path of suffering. Give us courage and strength to endure to the end, so that Your glory will be revealed through us. Break our hearts with the things that break Your heart. Make us ready to intercede in prayers for Your will to be done, and Your purposes to be accomplished.
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*Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible, Copyright (c) 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Christian Standard Bible and CSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.