Today is Maundy Thursday, in the middle of Holy Week. Almost 2000 years ago on this day, Jesus became a servant to His disciples, teaching them to love & serve others by washing their feet. Jesus has put in place this two-way relationship with all believers. First, He serves us in so many ways, most importantly in loosening our bonds of sins by forgiving them. We in turn serve Him, offering thanksgiving, praise & serving our neighbors. These psalm verses capture these thoughts for us today.
PSALM 116: 12-19
12 What shall I render to the Lord
for all His benefits to me?
13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
and call on the name of the Lord,
14 I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all His people.
15 Precious in the sight of the Lord
is the death of His saints.
16 O Lord, I am Your servant;
I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant.
You have loosed my bonds.
17 I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving
and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will pay my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all His people,
19 in the courts of the house of the Lord,
in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!
But this day is most well-known for another servant action by Jesus. Far more powerful than feet-washing, Jesus gives to you & me His body and blood for the forgiveness of our sins. In only a few hours Jesus will hang on Calvary's cross and will drink to the dregs from the cup of His Father's wrath, taking all the punishment of the world's sins. Jesus drank that cup for you, so that He can give to you the cup of salvation! Jesus repeats this miracle every time we come to His altar and receive what He promises and delivers: His body & blood, given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.
So today we give extra thanks for the specific blessed gift of our Lord's holy Supper. But thank God also, that in any time or place, you will confess your sins to God, and receive His immediate and complete forgiveness. Jesus loves you so much, serving you with Himself and His forgiveness!
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