01 April 2021 Devotion for Maundy Thursday
Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for this Maundy Thursday is taken from the One hundred and eleventh Psalm, verse four, “He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious, merciful, and full of loving compassion,” (Amplified Bible). The meal on the night before the celebration of the Pass-over was a meal to remember the great things God has done for Israel. God’s saving deeds were remembered and his blessings bestowed on Israel were pondered by young and old, as they recited the Exodus story. Jesus called his disciples together to remember the history of Israel as they prepared for the Pass-over. However, Jesus was also preparing them for his final journey, as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the Word. During this last supper they enjoyed together, they contemplated his teachings and his example, as they gathered in the upper room. Little did they know that in less than twenty-four hours Jesus would be crucified, dead and buried, and they would be scattered as sheep without a shepherd. As we come together to remember what our Lord has done for us, we are struck by the compassion that he had, even in his last hours for his little flock of disciples. In the words of the Apostle Paul in the letter to the Colossians, Chapter One verse 15, we are reminded of who Jesus Christ really is, “Now He is the exact likeness of the unseen God, the visible representation of the invisible; He is the First-born of all creation,” (Amplified Bible). Jesus Christ came so that God could be made visible and dwell amongst us! He came to show us the mercy of the Father, “Be ye therefore merciful, as my Father is merciful,” Luke 6 verse 36. Through Jesus’ life and death, burial and resurrection He revealed God’s plan for us: redemption and reconciliation with the Father.
Our Old Testament verse for today is taken from the Book of Job, Chapter 33, verses 13 and 14, “Why do you contend against God? For He does not give account of His actions. Sufficient for us it should be to know that it is He Who does them. For God does reveal his will; He speaks not only once, but more than once, even though men do not regard it,” (Amplified Bible). Job’s friends tried to justify God and his work to Job, as well as trying to justify Job to God, however, they did not understand the battle that was playing itself out in the heavenly realm. God spoke to Job himself and revealed the truth of Job’s suffering and gave Job the heavenly commission of praying and interceding for his friends. After Job interceded for his friends God changed the circumstances of Job, and he received God’s blessing on his life and the lives of his friends. God spoke and declared Jesus, his Son, in an audible voice. Jesus performed miracles showing his Lordship over nature, disease and death, however, the words and deeds of God on earth were not listened to and obeyed as they manifested in the life of Christ.
When Jesus was arrested and brought to the high priest Jesus said, “I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together, I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who heard what I said to them; they know what I have said,” (John 18 verse 20 to 21). Despite Jesus’ teaching, his calling to repentance and his invitation to all to come into the kingdom of God, his detractors denounced his words, testimony and mission. In Jesus’ preparation of his disciples for his arrest and crucifixion and their mission to preach of resurrection Life through the Cross, Jesus said: “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have perfect peace and confidence. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world,” John 16 verse 33.
We come to you, our conquering Saviour, who redeemed us unto everlasting life, Amen.
