Devotion for Maundy Thursday 17/04/2025

This will be our last daily devotional series for this one month prayer and fasting leading to Good Friday 2025.

The name ‘Maundy’ derives from the Latin for ‘new commandment’ (mandatum novum) which Christ, according to Gospel of John, gave his disciples at the ‘Last Supper’.

Maundy Thursday marks the beginning of the Great Three Days.

The Agonising Prayer and Decision

Luke 22:39-44 (NIV)

39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

All four gospel writers recorded the prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane. Only Luke, being a doctor, added an interesting detail that Jesus was in such agony that his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

In the Agony in the Garden, Jesus experienced an agonising decision as he faced the prospect of his impending crucifixion. He prayed to his Father, asking if it were possible to avoid the suffering, but ultimately submitted to God's will. This moment is a central narrative in the Gospels, highlighting Jesus' humanity and his unwavering commitment to his mission.

After the intense prayers, Jesus made the decision with seven simple words: “Not my will, but yours be done!”

Jesus’ humanity was shown as he sought his disciples’ emotional and prayer support, but they were found asleep three times. Man may fail us, but in God we must trust.

There is always a point in time when we have to make the decision to acknowledge God’s salvation and follow Jesus as Lord and saviour.

The bible states that all of humanity will one day be asked to choose. In the Old Testament prophecy, there is a phrase, "multitudes in the valley of decision", which refers to a gathering of people in a place where judgment will be pronounced. In the book of Joel 3:12, which describes the nations being gathered to the Valley of Jehoshaphat for a final reckoning. This valley is also known as the Valley of Decision, symbolising God's judgment on all nations.

During Moses’ time, there was a similar challenge to make a decision to follow God’s way.

“See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.” (Deuteronomy 30:15-20)

Towards Joshua’s late stage in life, he had to challenge his people again to recommit to following God wholeheartedly.

“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

Jesus had decided to love and serve us through his death. Shall we not choose to live for him?

May the Lord bless your meaningful reflections on Good Friday and a great celebration on Resurrection Sunday!