Maundy Thursday/Holy Thursday
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VII Cycle C
Seasonal Theme
Jesus and his disciples move toward Jerusalem and the cross.
Theme For The Day
Maundy Thursday we observe communion, Christ is present, and we love each other in humility.
Old Testament
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
The First Passover Instituted
Because this is "Maundy Thursday," the night Jesus began the practice of communion and celebrated the Passover in the upper room, the church officials selected this passage from Exodus 12 which describes the beginning of Jewish Passover. This is the foundation of communion for Christians. Passover was (is) basically the celebration and remembrance of the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. Many Old Testament scholars believe this was originally an ancient pastoral festival and that here it is given a new significance. Interesting -- because Jesus gave it yet a new meaning in the upper room. The writer of Exodus certainly had in mind the passing over by the angel of death of the homes of Israelites who had placed blood on their door posts (v. 7).
New Testament Lesson
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
The Institution Of The Lord's Supper
Here is the earliest account of the Lord's Supper in the Bible. Paul's letters circulated even before the Gospel accounts were published. As the Passover in the Old Testament Lesson is a memorial of the people's deliverance from Egypt's slavery, so the Supper becomes an act of remembrance of Jesus' work on the cross and presence with us now. Lutherans and Roman Catholics take, "This is my body," seriously and claim the "real presence" of Jesus' body and blood in this sacrament. A new covenant is celebrated (v. 25). Instead of keeping all the rules, we now believe in God's grace in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. For preaching I like the new take on verse 26 when Jesus tells disciples that whenever they observe this sacrament of the altar they are proclaiming again Jesus' death. So communion has an element of not only Jesus with us really, but also a witness to his saving and forgiving us.
The Gospel
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Jesus Washes The Disciples' Feet
The name "Maundy Thursday" is based on verse 34 where it says Jesus gives disciples a new mandate -- to love one another. Jesus' humbleness is well pictured in the story. In verse 14 Jesus must be talking of all disciples to have fundamental cleansing. This is often done in serving and loving humbly each other. I would have liked to hear Jesus speak the words of verse 34. Jesus will leave them soon, so he is telling them the only bond which will keep them together is love. I wonder if there were tears in Jesus' eyes when he said it. And there is a flip side in verse 35. Just like Paul claims in the New Testament Lesson that when disciples take communion it is a witness to Jesus with us, so Jesus says that when we love one another people will know we are disciples. It will preach!
Preaching Possibilities
A. All three readings connect well today. The Old Testament is the background of communion, the New Testament is the earliest account, and the Gospel adds the mandate to love each other as they participate in Jesus' real presence in the sacrament of the altar.
B. Each reading will stand alone as well. The Old Testament Exodus account will lend itself to describing the ancient season and method of Passover and then telling of the new meaning Jesus gave it in the upper room.
C. The New Testament can lend itself to instructing our people about why we have communion and what it means when we do it.
1. It is a remembering.
2. It is a time of fellowship with Jesus really there.
3. It is a thanksgiving for God's grace gift of forgiveness and eternal life.
4. When we do it, it proclaims to others what we believe.
D. The Gospel also stands well alone and is a great lesson on humbleness.
1. We are to serve each other humbly as Jesus did.
2. We are to love each other, which will bind us together.
3. If we do this, we will be known to others as disciples of Jesus.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Begin by giving your own memories of the observance of Maundy Thursday in your home church and what you wondered about at that immature age.
B. Move to your understanding now of this day when we
1. learn the history of the sacrament of the altar,
2. learn the meaning of the sacrament to disciples, and
3. learn the new mandate which accompanies the sacrament.
C. Move to a look at the Exodus account and explain the history of Passover.
D. Move to a look at the 1 Corinthians reading and just what communion has meant to Christians down through the years.
E. Move to the John story of foot-washing and how it teaches us humility and love for each other in our discipleship.
F. Apply the above teachings to your congregation's ministry and worship practices.
G. Frame the sermon by returning to your memories as a child of Maundy Thursday.
Prayer For The Day
We give thanks, O God, for the way you have always provided a way out for us in our suffering, even as you did with the Israelites from Egypt's slavery. And we pray we might cherish this sacrament when you are here with us and help us make a witness to others. We would ask you to teach us humility as you demonstrated when you washed the disciples' feet this night. And above all, teach and help us to love one another as you have loved us. In your name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
Kellogg's Corn Flakes used to advise on their television advertisements: "Kellogg's Corn Flakes, taste them again for the first time."
Taking the bread and wine can be like that. Let's not lose the newness of it.
Boston Market used to advertise its food like the "Boston Carver" and ends the television ad with a woman saying, "Don't mess with dinner." What could we Christians say should not be messed with? Don't mess with the Word. Don't mess with the table of the Lord where we commune with our God in the bread and the wine.
In the movie Starman, an alien crash lands right into the life of a widow, Jenny. He hears her use the word "love" and asks her to define it. She replies, "Love is when you care more for someone else than you do for yourself." Jenny came very close to God's love which we have for another.
The Marines had an advertisement on television during a San Francisco '49ers and New Orleans Saints football game: "The few, the proud, the Marines." What might be an ad for disciples of Christ: "The few, the humble, those who serve, Christ's disciples."
Jesus and his disciples move toward Jerusalem and the cross.
Theme For The Day
Maundy Thursday we observe communion, Christ is present, and we love each other in humility.
Old Testament
Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14
The First Passover Instituted
Because this is "Maundy Thursday," the night Jesus began the practice of communion and celebrated the Passover in the upper room, the church officials selected this passage from Exodus 12 which describes the beginning of Jewish Passover. This is the foundation of communion for Christians. Passover was (is) basically the celebration and remembrance of the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. Many Old Testament scholars believe this was originally an ancient pastoral festival and that here it is given a new significance. Interesting -- because Jesus gave it yet a new meaning in the upper room. The writer of Exodus certainly had in mind the passing over by the angel of death of the homes of Israelites who had placed blood on their door posts (v. 7).
New Testament Lesson
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
The Institution Of The Lord's Supper
Here is the earliest account of the Lord's Supper in the Bible. Paul's letters circulated even before the Gospel accounts were published. As the Passover in the Old Testament Lesson is a memorial of the people's deliverance from Egypt's slavery, so the Supper becomes an act of remembrance of Jesus' work on the cross and presence with us now. Lutherans and Roman Catholics take, "This is my body," seriously and claim the "real presence" of Jesus' body and blood in this sacrament. A new covenant is celebrated (v. 25). Instead of keeping all the rules, we now believe in God's grace in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. For preaching I like the new take on verse 26 when Jesus tells disciples that whenever they observe this sacrament of the altar they are proclaiming again Jesus' death. So communion has an element of not only Jesus with us really, but also a witness to his saving and forgiving us.
The Gospel
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Jesus Washes The Disciples' Feet
The name "Maundy Thursday" is based on verse 34 where it says Jesus gives disciples a new mandate -- to love one another. Jesus' humbleness is well pictured in the story. In verse 14 Jesus must be talking of all disciples to have fundamental cleansing. This is often done in serving and loving humbly each other. I would have liked to hear Jesus speak the words of verse 34. Jesus will leave them soon, so he is telling them the only bond which will keep them together is love. I wonder if there were tears in Jesus' eyes when he said it. And there is a flip side in verse 35. Just like Paul claims in the New Testament Lesson that when disciples take communion it is a witness to Jesus with us, so Jesus says that when we love one another people will know we are disciples. It will preach!
Preaching Possibilities
A. All three readings connect well today. The Old Testament is the background of communion, the New Testament is the earliest account, and the Gospel adds the mandate to love each other as they participate in Jesus' real presence in the sacrament of the altar.
B. Each reading will stand alone as well. The Old Testament Exodus account will lend itself to describing the ancient season and method of Passover and then telling of the new meaning Jesus gave it in the upper room.
C. The New Testament can lend itself to instructing our people about why we have communion and what it means when we do it.
1. It is a remembering.
2. It is a time of fellowship with Jesus really there.
3. It is a thanksgiving for God's grace gift of forgiveness and eternal life.
4. When we do it, it proclaims to others what we believe.
D. The Gospel also stands well alone and is a great lesson on humbleness.
1. We are to serve each other humbly as Jesus did.
2. We are to love each other, which will bind us together.
3. If we do this, we will be known to others as disciples of Jesus.
Possible Outline Of Sermon Moves
A. Begin by giving your own memories of the observance of Maundy Thursday in your home church and what you wondered about at that immature age.
B. Move to your understanding now of this day when we
1. learn the history of the sacrament of the altar,
2. learn the meaning of the sacrament to disciples, and
3. learn the new mandate which accompanies the sacrament.
C. Move to a look at the Exodus account and explain the history of Passover.
D. Move to a look at the 1 Corinthians reading and just what communion has meant to Christians down through the years.
E. Move to the John story of foot-washing and how it teaches us humility and love for each other in our discipleship.
F. Apply the above teachings to your congregation's ministry and worship practices.
G. Frame the sermon by returning to your memories as a child of Maundy Thursday.
Prayer For The Day
We give thanks, O God, for the way you have always provided a way out for us in our suffering, even as you did with the Israelites from Egypt's slavery. And we pray we might cherish this sacrament when you are here with us and help us make a witness to others. We would ask you to teach us humility as you demonstrated when you washed the disciples' feet this night. And above all, teach and help us to love one another as you have loved us. In your name. Amen.
Possible Metaphors And Stories
Kellogg's Corn Flakes used to advise on their television advertisements: "Kellogg's Corn Flakes, taste them again for the first time."
Taking the bread and wine can be like that. Let's not lose the newness of it.
Boston Market used to advertise its food like the "Boston Carver" and ends the television ad with a woman saying, "Don't mess with dinner." What could we Christians say should not be messed with? Don't mess with the Word. Don't mess with the table of the Lord where we commune with our God in the bread and the wine.
In the movie Starman, an alien crash lands right into the life of a widow, Jenny. He hears her use the word "love" and asks her to define it. She replies, "Love is when you care more for someone else than you do for yourself." Jenny came very close to God's love which we have for another.
The Marines had an advertisement on television during a San Francisco '49ers and New Orleans Saints football game: "The few, the proud, the Marines." What might be an ad for disciples of Christ: "The few, the humble, those who serve, Christ's disciples."
