Day 38: Maundy Thursday

Day 38: Maundy Thursday

Preparing a New Covenant

Read: Matthew 26:26-30

In many ways, Jesus’ entire ministry and His whole life had led up to this precise moment: His last meal with His disciples. He had prepared them the best He could through His instruction and His example. Now, He was preparing them for a New Covenant. Unlike the former covenant, this one would be available to all people, not only the Jewish people. This New Covenant would also allow for the complete forgiveness of sins—not just temporarily, but for all of time. But this New Covenant would be costly. It would require the sacrifice of His own life.

While the night of the Passover ended in betrayal for Jesus, the institution of the New Covenant is certainly good news for us. Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection three days later, salvation was opened up and made possible to the whole world. Through Jesus, our sins can be forgiven and we can be in a right relationship with God.

The institution of the New Covenant at the Last Supper is such good news that we still celebrate it all around the world today through the sacrament of Holy Communion. Each time we take the bread and drink the cup, we are saying, “Thank you Jesus, for your sacrifice, for the forgiveness of our sins, and for our salvation.” Every time we celebrate the Lord’s Supper we look forward to that day when we will once again be reunited with all of Jesus’ followers from across the centuries in God’s coming Kingdom.

Reflect: Why is Holy Communion meaningful or important for you?