April 17, 2025
Holy Week - Maundy Thursday
Matthew 26:26-29
04/17/2025
26 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.''
27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he
gave it to them, saying, ``Drink of it, all of
you,
18 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is
poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of
the vine until that day when I drink it new with
you in my Father's kingdom.'' (ESV)
This evening at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, you
have the opportunity to hear some of the events of the Thursday
of Holy Week. Jesus and His disciples celebrated the Passover,
during which Jesus gave the Church the Lord's Supper.
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. I tell you I will not drink again
of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink
it new with you in my Father's kingdom.''
After supper, while Jesus was praying in the Garden of
Gethsemane, Judas Iscariot led a group sent by the chief priests
and elders to arrest Jesus. The remaining disciples scattered in
fear.
Sometime during the night, Peter denied knowing Jesus. Our
Lord endured several mock trials before the chief priests, the
Sanhedrin, Pontius Pilate, and Herod. He remained silent.
Jesus endured the scourging, the humiliation, the lies, the
betrayal, the denial, and the abandonment as foretold by the
prophets. Silently, He accepted the burden of guilt to pay the
price of our sins, to redeem us from eternal death, and to give
us the gift of life.
May our Lord give us faith to hold to Him, to recognize that
in His suffering He has given us the fullness of God's grace.
Amen.