Today is Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Good Friday.
I pray that it will be a day of unique and special blessings to be remembered for a long time.
It was on this Thursday night that Jesus instituted the holy Supper, washed the feet of his disciples, experienced the torment of Gethsemane and was arrested and tried by the Jewish religious leaders. It was during this night that Jesus was betrayed by Judas and denied by Peter.
Tonight we observe the ceremonial memorial of the suffering of Christ by the gradual extinguishing of candles, Scripture readings, contemplating the meaning of the Passion of Christ and in remembrance of him, sharing in holy Communion.
Today we experience the emotions associated with the passion of our Lord. It is not to be a happy day, because the occasion remembered is a solemn one in which we are in mourning because our sins caused the Son of Man anguish and agony.
For many believers who first attend the Tenebrae service observed today, it may be upsetting. The solemnity and sadness, the pain of the Saviour, do not make for an enjoyable evening in church. But one that deepens our understanding of his love, as we become aware of what he and the disciples felt that night. Go to church, in order to leave with more gratefulness and more love in your heart.
Go to church tonight. Not to have a "good time", but to be have your mind changed about Christ Jesus. Go with the expectation to adore the Lord more and serve him with deeper devotion, after the Tenebrae experience.
Our Maundy Thursday worship will only be completed on Easter Sunday, when our blessing and joy come from the glorious, victorious resurrection of Christ.
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