What is Maundy Thursday?

Triumphal Entry

Holy week begins with the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. On Sunday, Jesus rode into the city on a donkey. This was symbolic of his meekness and humility. He did not come clothed in royal regalia. He came as a common man riding on a common mule. They honored Him with palm branches and welcomed Him by saying, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” However, it was all about to change.

The Upper Room

Just a few short days later on Thursday, the crowd was fading, the Jewish leaders were angered, and His time was coming to an end. Jesus spent this last day with His disciples. Jesus sent John and Peter to prepare the Upper Room for the Passover Feast. This annual celebration commemorates the history of the Israelites being delivered out of Egypt. During this supper, there were bitter herbs, bread, and cups of wine. Each item represented something from the Exodus of the Israelites’ deliverance.

The Last Supper

As they progressed through the evening, Jesus took a turn after the meal, and did something that hadn’t been done before. They had already drank from the Cup of Sanctification and the Cup of Deliverance, to remember how God had been with them. Then, as He lifted the bread, He told the disciples to eat it, as it represented His body. Then, Jesus lifted the the third cup, the Cup of Redemption, and He revealed something new. He told them to drink from it because this was His blood of the New Covenant, being poured out for many and for the forgiveness of sins. (Luke 19:28-38; 22:7-22)

Jesus Predicts His Death

This must have been an awestruck moment. Even though they could not fully understand what He was saying, the disciples knew enough to grasp that Jesus was talking about His forthcoming death. He was proclaiming Himself as their Redeemer as they finished the feast.

The Sacrifice for Sins

This is the reason we remember the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf when He willingly laid down His life for the sins of the world. Your sins. My sins. Every sin. He knew what His death was going to look like. He knew His body would be broken down. He knew His blood was about to be spilled upon the Earth. He knew the excruciating death of the Cross was coming soon, but He still chose to be our Redeemer!

The Gift of Salvation

Jesus took the sacrifice for our sins, and we remember this each time we celebrate The Lord’s Supper, Communion, with our body of believers. We proclaim with the saints that Jesus gave His body and His blood for our sins, and we now can boldly approach God through His sacrifice. So the next time you participate in Communion, take a moment and reflect on the sacrifice that Jesus made on your behalf. Thank Him for his gift of Salvation, ask forgiveness for your sins, and live a life of discipleship following after Jesus the Lord.