Maundy Thursday | Day 5 of Hope Week
This devotional is the fifth installment in our Hope Week devotional series—following Jesus' journey from the gates of Jerusalem, to the cross, to the hope of the empty tomb. Join us every day from March 29 to April 5 to re-experience the story of His sacrifice and the magnitude of His love!
Today, let's reflect on the events of Maundy Thursday—from the Last Supper to Judas' betrayal in the Garden.
Today, let's reflect on the events of Maundy Thursday—from the Last Supper to Judas' betrayal in the Garden.
Read: Luke 22:7–53
Consider:
The night before the crucifixion is filled with moments that reveal the self-giving, humble heart of God, as Jesus prepares to embrace suffering.
During the event we call the Last Supper, Jesus gathers with His disciples to celebrate the Passover meal. It was a remembrance of their deliverance out of Egypt and slavery. But on this night, Jesus transforms it into something new. He takes bread and a cup of wine and offers them as symbols of His body and blood, which are given for us (vv. 17-21). In doing this, He establishes the Lord’s Supper as a reminder that He died for us and delivered us from sin and death. Every time we take communion, we remember His love and look forward to His return.
But the evening was not without sorrow, as Jesus reveals that one of His own would betray Him (John 13:18-21). Simon Peter nudges John to ask Jesus who He’s referring to. Instead of answering the question directly, though, Jesus acts by handing a dipped piece of bread to Judas. He doesn’t expose or shame the betrayer; He tenderly offers the bread to Judas in an act of friendship. It was an invitation to keep that relationship going. Still, Judas chose betrayal. In that moment, Satan enters him and Jesus tells him to act quickly (John 13:27). Judas leaves to set things in motion.
This is a moment that can remind us of our own heartbreaks, the pain of watching someone we love walk away or make choices that wound us. And yet Jesus’ compassion challenges us to keep our hearts open, even when others disappoint or fail us.
Following the supper, Jesus and the disciples leave to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus experiences agony there as the weight of human sin falls on Him. While His closeness with the Father revealed the full offensiveness of sin, He also felt the depth of the brokenness it brings. Overwhelmed by the burden, He asks the Father to take the cup of suffering from Him. But even in His anguish, Jesus surrenders completely when He says, “Not my will, but yours be done” (v. 42). As He prays, an angel from heaven appears to him and strengthens Him—fortifying His spirit so that He would not waver in completing the work of the cross. Even in deep sorrow, Jesus chose obedience grounded in love.
Finally, as the night draws dark, Judas returns—this time with temple guards, officials, and a Roman detachment, made up of 500 or more trained, fully armed soldiers. They’re prepared for a violent uprising—but after Judas identifies Him with a kiss, a warped symbol of affection, Jesus steps forward and tells the guards He will go with them without resistance.
In these moments—compassion towards Judas, agony in the garden, and humility in the face of betrayal—we see the depth of Jesus’ love. He walked toward suffering with a heart fully surrendered to the Father and fully poured out for us. This Maundy Thursday, let us be in awe of the depth of His compassion, which compelled Him to the cross.
During the event we call the Last Supper, Jesus gathers with His disciples to celebrate the Passover meal. It was a remembrance of their deliverance out of Egypt and slavery. But on this night, Jesus transforms it into something new. He takes bread and a cup of wine and offers them as symbols of His body and blood, which are given for us (vv. 17-21). In doing this, He establishes the Lord’s Supper as a reminder that He died for us and delivered us from sin and death. Every time we take communion, we remember His love and look forward to His return.
But the evening was not without sorrow, as Jesus reveals that one of His own would betray Him (John 13:18-21). Simon Peter nudges John to ask Jesus who He’s referring to. Instead of answering the question directly, though, Jesus acts by handing a dipped piece of bread to Judas. He doesn’t expose or shame the betrayer; He tenderly offers the bread to Judas in an act of friendship. It was an invitation to keep that relationship going. Still, Judas chose betrayal. In that moment, Satan enters him and Jesus tells him to act quickly (John 13:27). Judas leaves to set things in motion.
This is a moment that can remind us of our own heartbreaks, the pain of watching someone we love walk away or make choices that wound us. And yet Jesus’ compassion challenges us to keep our hearts open, even when others disappoint or fail us.
Following the supper, Jesus and the disciples leave to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus experiences agony there as the weight of human sin falls on Him. While His closeness with the Father revealed the full offensiveness of sin, He also felt the depth of the brokenness it brings. Overwhelmed by the burden, He asks the Father to take the cup of suffering from Him. But even in His anguish, Jesus surrenders completely when He says, “Not my will, but yours be done” (v. 42). As He prays, an angel from heaven appears to him and strengthens Him—fortifying His spirit so that He would not waver in completing the work of the cross. Even in deep sorrow, Jesus chose obedience grounded in love.
Finally, as the night draws dark, Judas returns—this time with temple guards, officials, and a Roman detachment, made up of 500 or more trained, fully armed soldiers. They’re prepared for a violent uprising—but after Judas identifies Him with a kiss, a warped symbol of affection, Jesus steps forward and tells the guards He will go with them without resistance.
In these moments—compassion towards Judas, agony in the garden, and humility in the face of betrayal—we see the depth of Jesus’ love. He walked toward suffering with a heart fully surrendered to the Father and fully poured out for us. This Maundy Thursday, let us be in awe of the depth of His compassion, which compelled Him to the cross.
Written by
Laura Shank, Rock Administrator
Reflect:
Where in your life is Jesus inviting you to choose humble, self-giving love—especially toward someone who may be difficult to serve or understand? What would it look like to follow His example?
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At Crossroads, Easter is more than a day. It's the culmination of a week of expectation—as we follow Jesus from the gates of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, to the cross on Good Friday, to His triumphant resurrection that first Easter morning.
Explore our Hope Week services and resources via the button below. We invite you to experience the sorrow, victory, and joy of the salvation story like never before!
Explore our Hope Week services and resources via the button below. We invite you to experience the sorrow, victory, and joy of the salvation story like never before!
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