Maundy Thursday / Holy Thursday
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII, Cycle B
Object:
Seasonal Theme
Jesus makes his way toward Jerusalem and the cross that we might have undeserved forgiveness for our sins.
Theme For The Day
A banquet of love is prepared for us.
Old Testament Lesson
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
The Passover Instituted
In the first four verses we have laid out for us how the Passover shall be observed. Optional verses 5-10 further detail the rules for preparation of the sacrificial lamb. Verses 11-14 tell more about the people's conduct in carrying out the observance. Then comes the announcement of the striking of all the firstborn except those who have an exemption and whose blood-marked door post shall be a signal for the angel of death to pass over them. And no plagues will reach them either! Verses 11b and 14 put together give us the theme for this day of passover.
In verse 6 the words "the whole assembled congregation of Israel" is used for the first time in the Old Testament. This gives us a sense of newness and beginnings. Notice the Passover was to be celebrated in homes.
We can connect this passage with Jesus and Holy Week through the symbol of blood. The blood of the lamb (or goat) was the salvation of the people there in Egypt, so the blood of Christ in Jerusalem will be (is) our redemption for all believers (see Romans 5:9 and Ephesians 1:7).
New Testament Lesson
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
The Lord's Supper
On this Maundy Thursday in Cycle B, we read the earliest account of the Eucharist in the upper room on Mount Zion with Jesus and his disciples. It is our warrant for observing Holy Communion.
Let's remember that when Jesus said these "words of institution" while celebrating the Jewish Passover, he was still alive and in the body. So the words cannot be taken as literally as we sometimes try to interpret them. "This is my body," then, could not have meant literally as he in his body was handing out that same bread. These words of William Barclay in his Daily Study Bible I find very helpful: "The broken bread of the sacrament does stand for the body of Christ; but it does more; to him (or her) who takes it into his (or her) hands and upon his (or her) lips with faith and love and warm devotion, it means not only a memory but of living contact with Jesus Christ."
The words, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood," can be translated, "This cup is the new covenant and it cost my blood." The Greek here can mean "in" but it can also be translated "at the cost of." This particular week that will preach. So here is a new relationship between God and the people. This time, instead of being dependent on keeping the law, now it is based on God's grace of love. This changes everything. A new covenant indeed!
The Gospel
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Humbleness And Love
First we have the washing of the disciples' feet by Jesus. There is a marvelous humbleness exhibited and modeled by Jesus that night. It took some explaining for Peter to understand (see v. 15). Perhaps we can find a reference to Christian baptism in the way the Gospel writer John wrote verse 8. Since foot washing was the way into the household, we have washing of baptism as the way into the household of faith. And, like Peter, we must not be too proud to submit to it.
In verses 34 and 35 we have not only the farewell command of Jesus to his disciples, but also the way others would judge if they were real disciples of Jesus. Like Jesus loved them, they are to love one another. Perhaps that best explains the humble service Jesus demonstrates in his foot washing also.
Preaching Possibilities
It's an easy assignment to preach on this day (night) in Holy Week. If not foot washing for everyone, at least consider yourself as preacher washing someone's feet in front of the whole congregation before the service begins. To demonstrate the humbleness of Jesus, make it a homeless person off the street, a very old saint of the congregation, or a youth. Let the congregation sing during the footwashing, "Lord, Whose Love In Humble Service" (text by Albert F. Boyly; tune: BEACH SPRING).
Consider doing this congregational activity instead of preaching. Have everyone get in groups of three. Ask them to tell each other the following about themselves, giving topics one at a time and allowing time between each to do it:
A. Your earliest memory of your kitchen table while growing up.
B. The happiest memory you have of being around that table.
C. The saddest memory you have of being around that table.
D. Describe the altar or communion table in your home church as a child -- or in a church you love.
E. Now explain that the altar is the "Lord's Table."
F. Now have them tell each other the happiest and saddest time around the "table of the Lord."
G. Close by asking each group to separately hold hands and, in turn, pray for each other in light of what each has shared.
I have done this exercise for a congregation as large as 1,000 in attendance to one with 27 in attendance.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Begin by telling of your memories of your first communion experience.
B. Now move to re-tell the story of the disciples' first communion in the upper room on Mount Zion.
C. Explain the background of Passover from the Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 Old Testament Lesson, especially quoting verses 11b and 14a.
D. Give the teachings to be learned.
1. As the blood on the doorpost saved the Israelites, so Jesus' blood will save us from our sins.
2. Paul explains that this is a new relationship with God (1 Corinthians 11:25).
3. It all begins and plays out with baptism in the humble washing of feet and disciple service (John 13). We still have washing possible through baptism.
4. This night we learn that Jesus' wish for us in God's family is to love one another.
5. How we carry out this command will show to others our true discipleship ... or not.
E. Now list some areas where you think you can improve on keeping this new commandment. Then some areas where those hearing you can do so as well.
F. Frame your sermon by returning to your memory of your first communion and your hopes for living that out a lot better just like Jesus asked the disciples to do.
Prayer For The Day
Show us true discipleship tonight, dear Holy Parent, even as you demonstrated to your other Mount Zion disciples on this very night 2,000 years ago. Help us to be humble servants and to love each other here in your family called (congregational name). And as we take the bread and wine tonight, which cost you your life, help us to do so with heart-felt love for you and for each other. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
A while back, the national restaurant chain Olive Garden had a slogan which might be claimed for us in our congregations: "When you are here, you are family."
The saintly old Andrew Hsiao, many years president of LTS, Hong Kong, told of his first return in 1979 to the little mainland town where he grew up. Just before China began to open up and after thirty years' absence, he returned and secretly took private communion to the ninety-year-old widow of the former pastor. She had no Bible, hymnal, or chance to worship all these years; but long ago she had memorized the psalms and could still recite them. And, like many Chinese Christians, she could pray. She insisted on receiving the sacrament on her knees. As he was giving her the bread, they heard someone coming up the stairs. Terror struck their hearts for fear they had been discovered. Then a seventy-year-old woman appeared who wanted communion also. It was the little girl Andrew's father had baptized sixty years before! Andrew said the widow prayed a prayer of thanksgiving like he has never heard before or after. They cried tears of joy and real presence.
Pastor Carlos Schneider tells of Ted and Tom, who sat in the balcony at Saint John's, Sacramento. Ted has died. Tom sits in the same place and keeps a place open for his deceased brother even when the balcony is crowded. "The communion of the Saints" lived out by Tom of Saint John's, Sacramento.
During the Gulf War, Peter Jennings told of an Iraqi family in Texas who named their first son Saddam Hussein and the second son born during the war George Bush. They told Jennings it was their prayer that they, too, one day should be brothers.
We have a bit of a problem about who may administer communion in a nearby Lutheran Church. I dropped in just as an unordained person was about to consecrate the bread and wine. Seeing me, he got quite nervous but proceeded. Just as he elevated the cup, the very loud fire alarm went off. (I was no where near the trigger!) He asked me to come forward and hand out the elements while he went in search of a key to turn off the alarm. As soon as I took the elements from him -- the alarm stopped. (I was still not near that alarm.) He turned very white and trembled. After the service he assured me he would investigate the procedure to seek ordination the very next day.
Jesus makes his way toward Jerusalem and the cross that we might have undeserved forgiveness for our sins.
Theme For The Day
A banquet of love is prepared for us.
Old Testament Lesson
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
The Passover Instituted
In the first four verses we have laid out for us how the Passover shall be observed. Optional verses 5-10 further detail the rules for preparation of the sacrificial lamb. Verses 11-14 tell more about the people's conduct in carrying out the observance. Then comes the announcement of the striking of all the firstborn except those who have an exemption and whose blood-marked door post shall be a signal for the angel of death to pass over them. And no plagues will reach them either! Verses 11b and 14 put together give us the theme for this day of passover.
In verse 6 the words "the whole assembled congregation of Israel" is used for the first time in the Old Testament. This gives us a sense of newness and beginnings. Notice the Passover was to be celebrated in homes.
We can connect this passage with Jesus and Holy Week through the symbol of blood. The blood of the lamb (or goat) was the salvation of the people there in Egypt, so the blood of Christ in Jerusalem will be (is) our redemption for all believers (see Romans 5:9 and Ephesians 1:7).
New Testament Lesson
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
The Lord's Supper
On this Maundy Thursday in Cycle B, we read the earliest account of the Eucharist in the upper room on Mount Zion with Jesus and his disciples. It is our warrant for observing Holy Communion.
Let's remember that when Jesus said these "words of institution" while celebrating the Jewish Passover, he was still alive and in the body. So the words cannot be taken as literally as we sometimes try to interpret them. "This is my body," then, could not have meant literally as he in his body was handing out that same bread. These words of William Barclay in his Daily Study Bible I find very helpful: "The broken bread of the sacrament does stand for the body of Christ; but it does more; to him (or her) who takes it into his (or her) hands and upon his (or her) lips with faith and love and warm devotion, it means not only a memory but of living contact with Jesus Christ."
The words, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood," can be translated, "This cup is the new covenant and it cost my blood." The Greek here can mean "in" but it can also be translated "at the cost of." This particular week that will preach. So here is a new relationship between God and the people. This time, instead of being dependent on keeping the law, now it is based on God's grace of love. This changes everything. A new covenant indeed!
The Gospel
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Humbleness And Love
First we have the washing of the disciples' feet by Jesus. There is a marvelous humbleness exhibited and modeled by Jesus that night. It took some explaining for Peter to understand (see v. 15). Perhaps we can find a reference to Christian baptism in the way the Gospel writer John wrote verse 8. Since foot washing was the way into the household, we have washing of baptism as the way into the household of faith. And, like Peter, we must not be too proud to submit to it.
In verses 34 and 35 we have not only the farewell command of Jesus to his disciples, but also the way others would judge if they were real disciples of Jesus. Like Jesus loved them, they are to love one another. Perhaps that best explains the humble service Jesus demonstrates in his foot washing also.
Preaching Possibilities
It's an easy assignment to preach on this day (night) in Holy Week. If not foot washing for everyone, at least consider yourself as preacher washing someone's feet in front of the whole congregation before the service begins. To demonstrate the humbleness of Jesus, make it a homeless person off the street, a very old saint of the congregation, or a youth. Let the congregation sing during the footwashing, "Lord, Whose Love In Humble Service" (text by Albert F. Boyly; tune: BEACH SPRING).
Consider doing this congregational activity instead of preaching. Have everyone get in groups of three. Ask them to tell each other the following about themselves, giving topics one at a time and allowing time between each to do it:
A. Your earliest memory of your kitchen table while growing up.
B. The happiest memory you have of being around that table.
C. The saddest memory you have of being around that table.
D. Describe the altar or communion table in your home church as a child -- or in a church you love.
E. Now explain that the altar is the "Lord's Table."
F. Now have them tell each other the happiest and saddest time around the "table of the Lord."
G. Close by asking each group to separately hold hands and, in turn, pray for each other in light of what each has shared.
I have done this exercise for a congregation as large as 1,000 in attendance to one with 27 in attendance.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Begin by telling of your memories of your first communion experience.
B. Now move to re-tell the story of the disciples' first communion in the upper room on Mount Zion.
C. Explain the background of Passover from the Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 Old Testament Lesson, especially quoting verses 11b and 14a.
D. Give the teachings to be learned.
1. As the blood on the doorpost saved the Israelites, so Jesus' blood will save us from our sins.
2. Paul explains that this is a new relationship with God (1 Corinthians 11:25).
3. It all begins and plays out with baptism in the humble washing of feet and disciple service (John 13). We still have washing possible through baptism.
4. This night we learn that Jesus' wish for us in God's family is to love one another.
5. How we carry out this command will show to others our true discipleship ... or not.
E. Now list some areas where you think you can improve on keeping this new commandment. Then some areas where those hearing you can do so as well.
F. Frame your sermon by returning to your memory of your first communion and your hopes for living that out a lot better just like Jesus asked the disciples to do.
Prayer For The Day
Show us true discipleship tonight, dear Holy Parent, even as you demonstrated to your other Mount Zion disciples on this very night 2,000 years ago. Help us to be humble servants and to love each other here in your family called (congregational name). And as we take the bread and wine tonight, which cost you your life, help us to do so with heart-felt love for you and for each other. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
A while back, the national restaurant chain Olive Garden had a slogan which might be claimed for us in our congregations: "When you are here, you are family."
The saintly old Andrew Hsiao, many years president of LTS, Hong Kong, told of his first return in 1979 to the little mainland town where he grew up. Just before China began to open up and after thirty years' absence, he returned and secretly took private communion to the ninety-year-old widow of the former pastor. She had no Bible, hymnal, or chance to worship all these years; but long ago she had memorized the psalms and could still recite them. And, like many Chinese Christians, she could pray. She insisted on receiving the sacrament on her knees. As he was giving her the bread, they heard someone coming up the stairs. Terror struck their hearts for fear they had been discovered. Then a seventy-year-old woman appeared who wanted communion also. It was the little girl Andrew's father had baptized sixty years before! Andrew said the widow prayed a prayer of thanksgiving like he has never heard before or after. They cried tears of joy and real presence.
Pastor Carlos Schneider tells of Ted and Tom, who sat in the balcony at Saint John's, Sacramento. Ted has died. Tom sits in the same place and keeps a place open for his deceased brother even when the balcony is crowded. "The communion of the Saints" lived out by Tom of Saint John's, Sacramento.
During the Gulf War, Peter Jennings told of an Iraqi family in Texas who named their first son Saddam Hussein and the second son born during the war George Bush. They told Jennings it was their prayer that they, too, one day should be brothers.
We have a bit of a problem about who may administer communion in a nearby Lutheran Church. I dropped in just as an unordained person was about to consecrate the bread and wine. Seeing me, he got quite nervous but proceeded. Just as he elevated the cup, the very loud fire alarm went off. (I was no where near the trigger!) He asked me to come forward and hand out the elements while he went in search of a key to turn off the alarm. As soon as I took the elements from him -- the alarm stopped. (I was still not near that alarm.) He turned very white and trembled. After the service he assured me he would investigate the procedure to seek ordination the very next day.
