Text: Luke 22:7-20
Date: Maundy Thursday + 4/5/07
It’s been a long night here in the Upper Room. During our Lenten midweek services we have heard the words of our Lord that he spoke to us that night in which he was betrayed from the Gospel of John, much of it standing just before heading out the door into this night. This night, however, is set aside to commemorate two things: first, the mandatum novum, the new commandment “that you love one another” from which this day receives its name “Maundy” Thursday, and demonstrated in our Lord’s washing of the disciples’ feet. Secondly, this night is the anniversary of the greatest mystery: the institution of the sacrament of our Lord’s Body and Blood, the sacrament of the altar, the Lord’s Supper, the Holy Communion, the Eucharist. It is a mystery because while we can and are to know, acknowledge and believe that Jesus meant what he said when he said, “this is my body, this is my blood,” still we cannot explain it. Those bent on explaining this mystery most often end up not believing it aright! But those who simply hear and boldly believe the words of Christ truly receive what he says, his holy Body and his sacred Blood, and the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation that has been purchased for us by his holy sacrifice on the cross.
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