Maundy Thursday – WITH US ALWAYS
TEXT: Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26.26-28)
It reassures me to see how carefully Jesus has planned for the comfort and strength of those who love Him. This is the night before His death, and how they will need His help to get through that time! And so He gives them one last gift of love — He gives them Himself. Here, in the broken bread and the cup of His blood poured out for many — here, we have Jesus Himself, to be our strength and our hope. Even death cannot take Him from us; He has promised to be with us forever (see Matthew 28.20). And in Communion, we have Him most intimately — in a form we can handle, taste, and touch. And He uses this gift to forgive and strengthen us.
I don’t know what the disciples thought of it at the time. They had not yet seen Him nailed to a cross, giving up His life so that we might be forgiven, remade, and restored to God. They had not seen Him risen from the dead, standing with us alive and joyful, now the Source of life for all of us who trust in Him. But we have seen these things through the Gospel of the Lord; and so we treasure His gift of closeness and love.
WE PRAY: Dear Jesus, thank You for giving us Yourself. Amen.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Reflection Questions
• Does it help you to have something to touch and taste of Jesus?
• Why or why not?
• During the recent pandemic, what was your experience concerning Communion? How did it affect you?
Responses