Holy Thursday

February 4th, 2014

Lent: A Yearly Reminder of the Daily Call to Come Home is a series of seven writings that incorporate guided imagery, prayer, and questions to use in worship or in your small group.

Imagine

Along our journeys, regular remembrance and celebration of God's saving power and sacrificial love can deepen our trust in God's heart. As Jesus shows us, this is of utmost importance especially when betrayal and suffering comes.

Close your eyes and picture yourself stopping to celebrate for a day. You know Jesus has made preparations for this celebration. You are not exactly sure what will happen but you see others gathered alongside you in this place of celebration. In your mind's eye, how do you celebrate and remember God's saving love together? What stories are shared?

Now allow Jesus to tend to you and each person who is gathered with you in whatever way He desires. What does He do? Watch Him and listen to how He invites you to serve and care for others on the journey in the same way. What is your response? Does a particular person or group come to your mind with His invitation?

Allow the scene to unfold for a few moments and then close with this prayer.

Pray

God, You show us kindness from beginning to end. You're our close Companion and our Helper in times of need. We pause to remember and celebrate the ways You have walked with and rescued us on our journey.

(20 seconds or ~ of silence)

We ask that our deep gladness and Your kindness overflow into the lives of those around us. Help us trust in Your goodness even when those around us do not seek our good.

Jesus, You showed us this can be done, for on the same night your friend, Judas, put Your life into the hands of the chief priest who hated You, You were entrusting Yourself into the hands of Your Father who loved You. You and the Father are One, may we trust You and remember Your companionship and goodness even when we cannot see or feel it. And may we be One with You in pouring out the same humble love into our world.
Amen.

Reflect

  • The Festival of Passover yearly remembers how God saved Israel from slavery in Egypt. Today you might research Passover, join in this ancient festival by eating unleavened bread (matzo), or consider how you can uniquely mark God's saving power in your life on this day.
  • Christian tradition added the observance of Holy Thursday to remember The Last Supper of Jesus and his disciples which occurred on the feast of Passover. The continuation of God's steadfast, saving love even after betrayal is seen once again in Jesus announcing that one of his disciples will betray him and yet he is about to pour out his own blood and body for his friends (see Matthew 26:17-30). Reflect on how your life intersects with and joins in this larger story of betrayal and love.
  • Jesus trusted the Father's heart so much that he was able to be honest with his fears and yet still consent to the Father's work in and through Him (see Matthew 26:39). What do you need to be honest with God about? Are you willing to consent to God's work in and through you in this situation? If not, what is keeping you from doing so (remember, be honest!)?

The complete series and audio are available here.

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