Devotional for Maundy Thursday

(The Last Supper by Sadao Watanabe, Japan, 1979)

Matthew 26:26-28 (The Message)
During the meal, Jesus took and blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it to his disciples: Take, eat. This is my body. Taking the cup and thanking God, he gave it to them: Drink this, all of you. This is my blood, God's new covenant poured out for many people for the forgiveness of sins. "I'll not be drinking wine from this cup again until that new day when I'll drink with you in the kingdom of my Father."

Prayer for Maundy Thursday
It was the beginning of hope on that night long ago, Liberating God, as you prepared to lead your people to freedom. As they readied themselves, you fed them with your unblemished grace, so all sin, pain, and bitterness could be set down and left behind
when it was time to follow you.

It was the beginning of salvation on that night long ago, Servant Lord, as you prepared your disciples for all the things which were to happen. You humbled yourself
by washing their feet, so they could follow you in service and love to a world which would reject you and hang you on a cross.

We tell these stories once again on this night of remembrance, Servant's Spirit.Here is the Bread which gives us life; here is the Cup which slakes our thirst for justice; here is the towel with which we wipe the tears of the broken-hearted; here is the basin which cleanses the stains of the world.

Prepare us for our journey of discipleship, God in Community, Holy in One, as we pray as our Servant, Jesus Christ, teaches us, saying, Our Father . . .

Call to Reconciliation
How is it people will recognize us as followers of Jesus? Simply by how we treat one another. Let us confess how we have not loved as Christ loves us.

Unison Prayer of Confession
Too often, Holy One, we forget to love you a little bit, much less with all our heart, mind, strength, and soul. To easily, we forget to love our neighbors, building higher and higher walls between us. Too quickly, we forget your call to servanthood, hearing instead the accolades and applause of the world.

Forgive us, God of freedom and hope. Bring us to the Table of grace, where we will be healed; fill us with your steadfast love; lift us to our feet so we might follow Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, into that ministry of servanthood and sacrifice which is our calling.

Assurance of Pardon
This is what we have heard: Christ came to teach, to serve, to lead us into the kingdom of God. We will serve, so others might be set free; we will teach, so others will know the Word of hope; we will love, so others will know us as Christ's people; we will do as our Servant has done. Thanks be to God. Amen.

(Prayer written by the Rev. Thom Schuman)