Maundy Thursday, March 28, 2024
“Enjoy a Meal with a Friend”
Here it is! This is your excuse to enjoy a date with a friend or family member. Don’t worry! If you don’t think you’ll be around anyone today, you can accomplish this Lenten Challenge anytime this weekend.
The reason we chose this Challenge for Maundy Thursday is because this day is often remembered as the day that Jesus hosted the Last Supper with His disciples. In most Christian Churches, we remember this as the last few moments of Jesus’ freedom, just before Jesus is arrested on Thursday evening. When Friday morning arrives, Jesus will have been brought before the Roman authorities before being convicted and sentenced to immediate death on a cross.
Maundy Thursday represents Jesus’ choice to share a meal with friends as His last act of freedom. At the moment it was occurring, the Disciples didn’t know that this would be their last supper with their friend and mentor. We know the significance now, long after the fact. However, I’ve wondered how differently the Disciples would have approached the Passover meal if they had known it would later be called, “The Last Supper.” What do you think?
Today, our Challenge is to enjoy a meal with a friend, colleague, neighbor, family member, or whomever you can connect with. This isn’t intended to be a difficult Challenge to complete. Rather, it is intended to encourage us to connect with each other and enjoy the company God has provided. If you can’t do it today, try to do it this Easter Weekend and you will have accomplished the Challenge!
Enjoy a meal with a friend!
“When it was time, he sat down, all the apostles with him, and said, “You’ve no idea how much I have looked forward to eating this Passover meal with you before I enter my time of suffering. It’s the last one I’ll eat until we all eat it together in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 22:14-15, The Message)
