What was on Jesus' mind on the morning of Maundy Thursday? Perhaps he was thinking of what would happen in the next 30 hours. That night, one of his closest friends would hand him over to a group of people who hated him and were hungry to kill him. Another disciple would vehemently deny that he even knew him. All of his friends would run away. His enemies would blindfold him, punch him, spit on him, pull out his beard, and hand him over to be brutally whipped, beaten, and finally crucified. Then his life would slowly ebb away until he was dead. 

But he doesn't leave his disciples and you and me without words of comfort as we all observe his sufferings and death. He says (John 14:1-4), "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we are eternally grateful for your sufferings and death, through which you have given us a saving relationship of full forgiveness from you, our Lord and God. Bless our continued study and meditation on your passion. Help us see your cross as it is, our complete forgiveness and salvation. Strengthen us when we feel too weak, as if we aren't worthy to be your followers. Comfort us with the same words with which you comforted your disciples, that you have prepared a place in eternity with you. You have opened the gates of heaven to us; let us always live for you. In your name we pray, Amen.

See you tonight for Maundy Thursday worship at 7pm.