MATTHEW 26:20-23

When it was evening, Jesus sat down at the table with the Twelve. While they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.”

Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one, Lord?” He replied, “One of you who has just eaten from this bowl with me will betray me."

TO PONDER

While we all know the story and we know who betrayed Jesus, Maundy Thursday (the Thursday of Holy Week) is one of my favourite parts of the Easter week.

On Thursday night, Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples. During the meal, Jesus deviated from the usual script and instituted a new meal of promise and remembering - the Lord's Supper - a meal which most Christians around the world celebrate in one way or another. At that meal he offered himself, his body and blood for the forgiveness of sins, knowing full well that the one who would betray him and hand him over for execution was sitting there with him.

That is often a great comfort to me, especially when I realise I have messed up in some way. To know that Jesus gave himself for Judas - only moments before his betrayal - gives me confidence that those same words "given and shed for you" also still apply to me, no matter how badly I may have messed up.

If you are planning to make it to a Maundy Thursday service this evening, you will hear those words spoken to you as you receive Holy Communion. Maybe you won't hear them again until Easter Sunday or even sometime later when you next make it to church. No matter, Whenever you next find yourself at the Lord's table, about to receive Holy Communion, listen carefully as those words are spoken. Hear Jesus saying them to you because o matter how badly your life has been messed up, no matter how big your mistakes have been, no matter what wrong or evil has been committed against you - Jesus knows your heart, he knows your hurt and your shame, and he chooses to give himself for you anyway.

PRAYER: Thank you Jesus, that you include people like Judas - people like me - in your promises of mercy and forgiveness. Please help me to remember that in your death and resurrection which was once and for all, there is still a personal promise to me - that in you I have life and life in abundance and fulness. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle