The Maundy Thursday Meal

Today is the day before Good Friday. Traditionally it is called Maundy Thursday and a day in which things like the Passover and Lord's Supper are reflected upon. The night which Jesus was betrayed, the night He was given over to death, is commemorated on Maundy Thursday.

On a day like today the disciples of Jesus were preparing a Passover meal for Jesus to eat not realizing that in fact it was Jesus who would be giving the meal (Mark 14:14, 23). One could say that Jesus was the meal.

The Passover lamb of the Exodus was pointing toward this very night where Jesus showed Himself as the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. The disciples were ready to reflect upon a day long ago when the Israelites were delievered from Egypt and God rescued His people and did not kill the firstborn son's of those who had the Lamb's blood on the doorposts, but Jesus was preparing them to reflect upon God's passing over of their sins through the death of God's Son, Jesus.

In many ways, it's on odd day to have a meal, but that's what Jesus did. The meal of bread and wine, Jesus' body and blood. One violent and odd dinner.

It's as if Jesus is saying that what happens tomorrow is meant to bring you life, joy, nourishment, and celebration like a meal with friends, and of course it is. Good Friday is not oxymoronic.

The killing of the Lamb of God for sinners removes the wrath of God toward sinners and fills sinners with the favor of God and fellowship with God for all those who in faith receive the meal Jesus offers....which of course is His very Self.

The meal before Jesus death on Maundy Thursday that commemorates the killing of Jesus on Good Friday is the meal that brings eternal life.