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22: Holy Week Reflection, Maundy Thursday
169 Plays4 years ago
The Last Supper. Jesus knows this is not an ordinary meal. He gives the disciples the ultimate meal. The disciples don’t know He is preparing them for His death.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, we see for the first time the anguish Jesus felt about what was to come. Jesus didn’t want to die.
Thursday's events are recorded in Matthew 26:17–75, Mark 14:12-72, Luke 22:7-62, and John 13:1-38.
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Transcript
Introduction by Jill Devine
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The following podcast is a Jill Devine Media production.
Christianity: Judgmental or Inclusive?
00:00:04
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Christianity has become known for judgy people, strange words, ancient stories, confusing rules, and a members-only mindset.
Jill Devine's Unexpected Podcast Journey
00:00:13
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This is why I stayed away from the church for so long, but it's not supposed to be that way. I'm Jill Devine, a former radio personality with three tattoos, a love for a good tequila, and who's never read the entire Bible.
00:00:24
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Yet here I am hosting a podcast about faith.
Special Edition: Holy Week Reflection
00:00:28
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The Normal Goes a Long Way podcast is your home for real conversations with real people using real language about how faith and real life intersect. Welcome to the conversation. Welcome to this special edition of Holy Week Reflection and Prayer.
Reflections on Holy Thursday
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I'm your host, Jill Devine, and we are going to continue with
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What was happening with Jesus and those around him in this reflection and prayer for today from Laura Fleetwood? It's
Preparing for the Last Supper
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Thursday. So much happens on today. So much is contained within these 24 hours. Jesus sends Peter and John ahead to Jerusalem to this upper room.
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to
The Last Supper's Deeper Meaning
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make plans for one last dinner with his disciples. One last meal, one last time of gathering and conversation, one last time of love and safety and peace. We've all seen the paintings of the Last Supper.
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I love that in many of them, the disciples are kind of lounging back and they just look relaxed and at peace. They're enjoying each other. But Jesus knows that this is no ordinary meal. The disciples don't
Significance of the Last Supper Today
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know, but Jesus knows. And at this meal, he gives them
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the ultimate holy meal. He gives them the bread and the wine and he says, this is my body and my blood. This is given for you for the forgiveness of your sins. Take an eat and drink of it.
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The disciples did not know what he was saying. How strange that someone would say, this is my body and this is my blood. Eat it and drink it. They didn't know that Jesus was saying goodbye. They didn't know that he was preparing them and equipping them and strengthening them and himself. I must imagine for the horror.
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of what was to come. They didn't know that he was instituting this meal that would continue to be offered and accepted throughout the ages to come. That
Impact of Maundy Thursday
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Jesus' body and blood would indeed be present in the bread and the wine of the future of all of the people of God who would believe and would be strengthened by it.
00:03:39
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We get to take communion tonight at Maundy Thursday service. And it's a beautiful time to reflect on the amazing grace that Jesus provides for us through his very body and his very blood. But what most impacts me about Maundy Thursday is what happens after the meal.
Jesus' Human Side: Anxiety and Prayer
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What happens when Jesus goes with just a few
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of his most trusted disciples to the garden of Gethsemane. And we see for the first time the anguish that Jesus felt about what was to come. He asks his friends to stand guard. He knew that people were coming for him and he needed some time alone with his father.
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Because this is the truth. Jesus did not want to die. Have you ever thought about that? For in that garden, he laid face down on the ground and he asked not once, not twice, but three times for God to take this cup away from him.
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In other words, Lord, I don't want to do this. Is there any other way? He asks. If there is any other way, don't let this happen.
Prayer: Following God's Will
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I don't want to die. Scripture says that he sweat drops of that were like blood.
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If you experience anxiety like I do, this is when you know that Jesus understands the flood of fear that rushes through your body, the anxiety that causes you to fall flat on the ground and cry.
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that this would not happen. Jesus felt it all. He did not want to die. And yet, at the end, he says, but thy will be done. Dear Heavenly Father, what an extraordinary son you sent to be our savior.
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We can't imagine what it was like for Jesus to know fully well of your power and your might and your purpose and your plan. And to also know that it was going to cause him so much pain and so much suffering for him to ask three times.
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for it to be taken away and yet still to make the decision. And it was a decision that he made to follow your will anyway. And in the meantime, those friends, the disciples that he asked to keep watch, they fell asleep. Lord, forgive us for all of the times that we have fallen spiritually asleep.
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to what Jesus is doing in our lives, to what he has done for us. We are just like those men who couldn't keep their eyes open to stand guard, even as their friend, their savior, their leader was crying out for another way. Give us the strength, Lord, as Jesus did to pray, thy will be done. Amen.