Maundy Thursday

We come to this hour, this fifth day of Holy Week, the day known to many Christians as Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday, totally refreshed in body, mind and spirit.

We have been restored in faith and body, as we were able to ponder again and see, with faith’s eyes, how Jesus took a sinner, a wild olive shoot, and allowed her to worship Him and to serve Him with her human endowments – her tears, her hair, her kisses, her feet and her hands – in an unwelcoming and hostile environment.

We have been strongly encouraged and motivated in belief and mind, to seek Jesus again, regardless of our sinful state or condition and despite all opposition, which we know we will face, just to lavish our love upon Him. All we have to show the sincerity and honesty of our deep love for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, is what is carnal, what is flesh, what is natural - our own alabaster jar – and empty it all on Jesus and Jesus alone.

We have been indelibly strengthened in spirit and in trust, to come boldly to Jesus, without worry, or fear, or doubt, when we see our Lord’s response to that sinner. Note how Jesus publicly uplifts the penitent sinner. Check how He responds to the other guests and their unbelief. Jesus has just told the sinner that her sins are forgiven. The other guests began to say among themselves, Who is this who even forgives sins? Luke 7: 49. Jesus never removes His loving, pleased eyes from the woman. He is happy and speaks even more glorious and heaven-clapping words to her. It’s as though no other person is present. Jesus embraces her, empowers her, encircles her, and enables her to go on in faith. He has made her, not just a daughter of Abraham, but He has securely grafted her into Him. Hear again these blessed words. Your faith has saved you; go in peace. Luke 7: 50. Without faith it is absolutely impossible to please God.

Having had our faith refreshed, strengthened and revitalized, we make this higher climb with steadier feet.

If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. Romans 11: 17 – 18.

We have been grafted in, among the others. We are looking at what seems obvious, however it is most stabilizing and grounding of our faith and trust in Jesus. This is huge and it is most inclusive. Listen again to what the text stated plainly about the wild olive shoot or branch. The uncultivated branch is grafted into a spot where a cultivated branch was. The wild shoot is not just given a place somewhere, but it is given a place in the true vine, not just another good, respectable, believing vine. In other words, the wild vine is not given a different space, an obviously different place to show that it is welcomed and accepted, but not with the regulars. Absolutely not! It is given a place with the regulars.

It’s like the mouth that has had teeth removed or taken out. The mouth does not stay with missing teeth, but has other teeth planted into the spaces. Note, the implants are not just placed any and everywhere in the mouth. That would be to create what is grossly unsightly, horrible and dysfunctional, in that it will breed disunity, friction and disharmony. It will be absolutely ugly. No! The implants are beautifully fitted into the existing spaces.

On this steep terrain, as we near the top, this third to last day before arriving at our destination, we stay even closer to our Counsellor, Guide and Enabler. Here we are shown Jesus serving one of His own branches for the last time. We truly need the grace and mercy to gaze on this most disturbing and frightening scene. May we not turn away in fear, because the scene does not serve us in our carnal, self-righteous states.

Lord! Have mercy upon us! Amen!

We are looking at these three words, among the others. A wild branch or disciple, has been served among the other disciples. Here is the disturbing, but ever so true picture. Jesus, the True Vine is fellowshipping with His branches, His disciples, for the last time in flesh and bones, before He sheds His precious Blood on the Place of the Skull. This is a slow climb and we must be sure of foot. This is where we are. The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. John 13: 2.

The words, already prompted, describe a person who has already yielded to the temptation of the devil. Jesus has noted that it is what comes from within a person that makes him or her unclean. For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts. Mark 7: 21a. Jesus has seen the evil in Judas. Jesus has seen that Judas has taken unto himself a new master called Satan. Jesus has seen that Satan is now ruling Judas and in his heart and mind, this once feeding branch, is no longer one with the True Vine. Jesus knows exactly what will be the end of this broken-off branch. However, before Judas physically leaves, Jesus serves him for the last time. Jesus, knowing that a traitor is before Him; Jesus, knowing that one who has lifted up his heel against Him is with Him; Jesus, knowing that the son of perdition is present; washes Judas’ feet and feeds him among the others. He does not take him away and serve him in a different corner of the room, or sent someone else, to serve Judas. No! Jesus keeps him with all the others and serves him there.

To every eye looking on, this Passover meal is taking place beautifully, where everything is seamless. But Jesus, the True Vine, knows the truth.

I quote this Scripture for you, with fear, yet with faith; with trepidation, yet with triumph; with sadness, yet with gladness; with heaviness, yet with hope. John 13: 26 – 27. Jesus answered, It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish. Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. What you are about to do, do quickly, Jesus told him. Then we are told these most chilling words. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night. John 13: 30.

Will you ask yourself, as I have asked myself, with piercing, searching, seeking answers of truth, this question? Am I, this day, as a Judas?

You and I are Jesus’ wild branches whom, through His ever-working Spirit, has taken us in, but have we chosen to be the branch of a false vine?