And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.

– Luke 22:14-15

When I was seventeen, my church held a candlelight service on Maundy Thursday. It was a stormy night, and I sat next to a beautiful stained-glass window. The wind and rain added solemnity to the service, and I understood for the first time what the body and blood of Christ had done for me. That precious moment will last me a lifetime.

At the Last Supper, Jesus told His disciples that He was eager to eat with them before He suffered. None of them understood what Jesus meant or what was coming for Him. Judas had just betrayed Him, and the disciples were arguing over which of them was the greatest. It was not their finest hour. Yet, “Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is My body. Then He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins ‘” (Matthew 26:26-28).

At our most foolish and selfish moments, Jesus offers us His body and blood. In our helplessness and cluelessness, He offers us hope and forgiveness. This Maundy Thursday, may you experience His love and grace – and may it last you a lifetime. “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

Prayer:

Lord, you desire that we turn from our sin and live. We look to You with thanksgiving and remember the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. We place our trust in Him.

Daily Reading: Luke 21

– Contributed by Cheryl Cole