Blogging through Holy Week: Thursday

Thursday Jesus observes a Passover meal with his disciples (Matthew 26:17-29, Mark 14:12-25, Luke 22;7-20, John 13:1-38). He imbues the ritual with another level of meaning so significant that as to suggest that this may have been why God established this in the beginning - not just to give the people a way to remind them that he'd passed over and protected them when the Egyptians were struck down, but also to point the way forward to Jesus. Remarkable. (See 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.)

Jesus does something else that night which is so powerful it, too, becomes a sacrament in some circles in the years to come. He gets down on the floor with a towel and basin and washes their feet. Even when you'd think he'd have other things on his mind, his relationship with these guys is what's really important. So much of what he does this day demonstrates that. They don't understand, now, but later they will remember and understand.

Before this long night is over Jesus will go through agonies of prayer (Matthew 26:35-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:40-46). He invites his disciples to join in but they do not. (There's a good post on this at 300 Words a Day.)

Then he is turned in for arrest by one of these, his best friends - who when morning comes will commit suicide in remorse (Mathew 27:1-5).

The trials following the arrest will stretch all night and into the morning (Matthew 26:47-27:26, Mark 14:43-15:15, Luke 22:47-23:25, John 18:2-19:6).

But John's gospel records these words to his disciples, words of comfort and instruction, putting the whole thing into context.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

John 14:1-3

But Jesus speaks of more than just heaven. He also tells them about new life on earth.

"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.

"I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy."

John 16:12-13, 20-22