Last week, I wrote about Palm/Passion Sunday, which begins Holy Week. This week, we are on the cusp of what can be the most impactful weekend of our lives.
We begin with Maundy Thursday. Maundy is a strange word. It is derived from the Latin mandatum, which means ‘command’ and refers to the new command given by Jesus when he washed the feet of the disciples gathered in the upper room. We find this story in John 13:1-35 and the commandment in verse 34: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” John’s Gospel does not contain the institution of the Last Supper. We find that in Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, and Luke 22:7-38. The supper Jesus shared with his disciples was a Passover meal, transformed by his actions on this night, when he was betrayed.
That betrayal led to Jesus’ trials before the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish council in Jerusalem, and before Pilate, who was the Roman governor of Judea. Since the Sanhedrin did not have the authority to sentence anyone to death, Jesus was taken to Pilate and accused of claiming to be a ‘King.’ It was the custom to release a prisoner at Passover. When the crowd present for the trial was asked if they wanted Pilate to release Jesus or Barabbas (which translates ‘Son of the Father ‘), the crowd responded, “Barabbas,” and called for Jesus to be crucified.
Good Friday is the commemoration of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. Why do we call it ‘good?’ Because the outcome of the crucifixion is atonement for our sins, enabling us to experience salvation. And it leads to the great celebration of…
Easter! God has shown that not even death can foil God’s desire for reconciliation with all of humanity. Paul writes that “death has been swallowed up in victory.” (I Corinthians 15:54) Peter writes God has, “given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (I Peter 1:3)
This Easter, may you experience new birth as you journey with Jesus through Thursday, then Friday, and finally Sunday morning!
(Rev. Dr.) Candace R. Shultis
Gap Pastor
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