March 29, 2018

Maundy Thursday

    The place:  Jerusalem. 

    The event:  The Passover

    The Seder meal was prepared.  Jesus and his disciples reclined around the table.  Here we witness through Scripture Jesus washing the feet of the disciples, teaching them, eating with them and revealing that he would be betrayed by one of them.



 
  The UMC website explains the significance of Maundy Thursday as follows:

Maundy Thursday is an alternate name for Holy Thursday, the first of the three days of solemn remembrance of the events leading up to and immediately following the crucifixion of Jesus. The English word "Maundy" comes from the Latin mandatum, which means "commandment." As recorded in John's gospel, on his last night before his betrayal and arrest, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and then gave them a new commandment to love one another as he had loved them (John 13:34). This is why services on this night generally include the washing of feet or other acts of physical care as an integral part of the celebration.

  On Thursday, at Mt Olive UMC, Pastor Robert Barton led 120 Christ followers, from 10 different congregations, through the Seder meal.  He provided great insight into the significance of the meal, what each food represented to the Jewish people and even a few laughs.  He guided the group through the entire meal (shorting the liturgy in a few places). 

   The food was excellent, the experience was engaging and the fellowship was a blessing.  Thank you to Pastor Rob, his wife Leslie and the Mt Olive family for sharing this experience with us.  Also, thanks to King Gyros who prepared the meal. 

Pastor Jeremy