Message summary: "The hour" was that singular moment in space and time for which Christ, "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" had come to this world. Oswald Chambers states, "The cross is the crystallized point in history where eternity merges with time".

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"And when the hour was come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him" (Luke 22:14). "It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end" (John 13:1). "After Jesus said this, He looked toward heaven and prayed: 'Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You'" (John 17:1).

Today is often called Maundy Thursday, also referred to as "Holy Thursday" or "Great Thursday" in some denominations. The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word for "command" or mandate. The "Maundy" in "Maundy Thursday" refers to the command Jesus gave to the disciples at the Last Supper, that they should love and serve one another.

Since it is now Thursday of Holy Week let us consider the events that likely took place on this day. Maundy Thursday is the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, known as the Last Supper.

Consider the twelve apostles: it was only several years earlier they had left all to follow Christ. What an experience they had listening to Christ's wonderful teachings, witnessing His astounding miracles, being edified through their close fellowship and enjoying the breaking of bread together.

At the time of His first miracle Jesus said "Woman, why do you involve me? My hour has not yet come" (John 2:4). Earlier in Christ's ministry the opposition had tried to seize Him but could not, "because His hour was not yet come" (John 7:30).

But this night was different; the careful historian Luke introduces His gathering with the disciples for the Passover meal with this solemn description, "And when the hour was come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him".

Now the Twelve leaned around a table and Jesus shared what surely seemed to them a confusing illustration during the familiar Passover meal: "My body which is given for you, My blood which is shed for you".

"What is He talking about?" they surely wondered as they may have whispered amongst themselves. They must have looked at each other to get a sense of whether anyone was connecting or understood Jesus as He again spoke of dying. Just days earlier He had come into Jerusalem to great fanfare and shouts from the crowd recognizing that He was the King. That's what they wanted. That's what they expected. And ultimately that's what they got, just not in the way they expected.

"The hour" was that singular moment in space and time for which Christ, "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" had come to this world. Oswald Chambers states, "The cross is the crystallized point in history where eternity merges with time".

May we who believe and follow Christ reaffirm our commitment to our great and loving God. We pray that the desire of Paul’s heart would also be the theme of our prayer: "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Galatians 6:14).

The atoning death of Christ on the cross is the supreme demonstration of God's love resulting in:

On this Maundy Thursday of Holy Week, let us rejoice in the ultimate demonstration of Christ's supreme love.

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber