Joe Errickson
"And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end."
The initiation of the Lord's Supper by Jesus took place as he and the disciples observed the beginning of Passover. I imagine it must have been a festive occasion, perhaps comparable to our Christmas celebration in its importance to the Jewish faith. Jesus gathered with the disciples for what only He knew to be the Last Supper.
How difficult it must have been for the disciples to comprehend what Jesus had to say. The disciples were in a celebratory mood for the most part, several of them discussing who would be the greatest among them in the Kingdom. They seemed to think they'd "made it" after Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, albeit on a donkey. Their expectation was for Jesus to usher in the Kingdom with a wave of support from the common people. Occupy Jerusalem was about to begin! The crowds had gone wild, laying down palm branches along the path of the King, declaring: "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"
How often do we let our own expectations block what God is telling us? How easy it is to try to take our own path, fully believing it has God's approval. How easy to close our minds to any other direction thinking that One Way, means our own way. My guess is it happens far too often and we probably don't realize it when we do. During this time of Lent, and particularly on this Maundy Thursday observance, may we take time to listen with our minds and our hearts for God's direction, and allow Him lead us into 'the full assurance of hope until the end'.
Prayer: Merciful Lord, restore to us the joy of our salvation wherein lies our hope. Amen.
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