Lenten Devotionals from our DS's wife Robbie Craker

Today is Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday. It is the day we focus on four of the events of this night in the life of Christ and His disciples…

The washing of the disciples’ feet recorded in John 13--

The Lord’s Supper which institutes our celebration of Holy Communion--

The agony of Christ as He prays in the garden for the cup to be taken from Him, but surrenders His will to the will of the Father—

Both recorded in Matthew 26, Mark 14, and Luke 22;

And the betrayal of Christ by Judas Iscariot recorded in the same chapters above as well as John 18.

Here are the parts of these scriptures which spoke most to me today with a few comments along the way…

It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.–John 13:1-6

Jesus, who has all authority and power, bends down to wash the disciples’ dirty, stinky feet. What am I being called to do to serve those who are dirty and stinky? Will I bend down both figuratively and in reality?

When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."

They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, "Surely not I, Lord?"

Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me, “–Matthew 26:20-22

When I read this I’m often thinking of Judas, his betrayal, and agonizing end. But today I realized that all of the disciples dipped their hands into the bowl and all did betray Christ by falling away. I’m included in that picture – I must remember the times I have betrayed Christ by poor attitudes and behaviors.

But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same.

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." –Mark 14:31-38

I see myself in Peter so often – insisting emphatically that I’ll never fall away, I’ll never disown Jesus. But what have I been overwhelmed with sorrow for? What have I been willing to sacrifice sleep to pray for? How many times have I refused to see what is breaking the heart of God because it would cause me to drink a bitter cup of sacrifice? Would I have stayed awake and prayed with Jesus?

Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, "Am I leading a rebellion that you have come with swords and clubs? Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns." –Luke 22:52-53

Darkness reigns. Don’t rush to Easter morning and the victory of Life over death. Remember how darkness reigned. Remember the forces of darkness are still at work in our world – they don’t reign unless we give them a foothold – but they are at work. Darkness reigns in the lives of many.

“Father, we thank You for Your Son and His willingness to serve, to be broken and spilled out, to agonize in prayer over Your will and surrender to You. Forgive us when we forget the agony and darkness that reigned. Amen”