May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our strength and our redeemer.  Amen.

            Often on Maundy Thursday our focus is on loving and serving one another as Jesus has loved and served us – usually including the washing of feet.  This year, while the call to serve one another is still there in today’s gospel, we also have an opportunity to reflect on the institution of the Lord’s Supper.  It seems timely for us to do so, as many discussions have taken place over the past year about if and how we can still receive the sacrament and what is necessary in order to do so.

          In today’s gospel, the setting is an upper room where Jesus and his disciples have gathered for the Passover meal.  It is a meal that would have included (among other things) a sacrificial lamb, unleavened bread, wine, and bitter herbs.  It is a meal of eucharistic remembrance.  They are remembering how God saved them from slavery and death as they were brought out of Egypt, and they are giving thanks for God’s mighty acts of salvation.

          It is interesting to note that while the disciples seem to be irritable and argumentative – and are most likely afraid – Jesus seems eager and hopeful.  He has “eagerly desired to eat this Passover” with them before the suffering that is to come (Lk. 22:15).  Perhaps it is an opportunity to focus on God’s salvation.  Perhaps it is a break from the crowds and the throngs of people.  Or, perhaps Jesus is happy to be able to give them something to hold onto – something that will help them make sense of the events of the next day – something that will help them to remember and to give thanks for a new Passover from death into life.

          Jesus will – quite literally – be giving his body and blood – both for them and for us.  Yet, he also gives us this meal where he gives us bread and says, “This is my body,” and gives us the cup which is the new covenant in his blood.  “Do this in remembrance of me” (Lk. 22:19-20), for this is given and shed for you.

          One might ask why Jesus would tell his disciples to eat the bread and drink the wine in order to remember him, as opposed to just saying, “Remember me.”  Part of the answer, undoubtedly, is rooted in the Passover meal, which shares the story with those of all ages, using the food and drink to help them remember how God saved them from slavery and death.  As human beings, we remember better and we are more engaged when all of our senses are involved.

          At the same time, in the eating and drinking we are actually taking Christ into ourselves – receiving Jesus, as well as the forgiveness, life, and salvation that he brings with him.  It is the strength and renewal that we need on our journey through this world – and we need it as often as possible, if we are to listen to Martin Luther!

          And so, on this Holy Thursday, we remember and we give thanks.  We give thanks for Jesus – who gave himself, not only for us, but for the life of the world.  We give thanks for this tangible reminder of God’s love for us through Jesus.  We give thanks as we hear and believe the words, given and shed for you.  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

Maundy Thursday (NL 3)                            Luke 22:1-27

April 1, 2021

St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

© 2021 Lynne Hutchison  All Rights Reserved