Maundy Thursday Liturgist Copy
7 pm April 6, 2023 

Prelude
CTW  Psalm 116: 12-29  read in unison 

Hymn: 226 Great God, your love has called us here

 

Prayer of Approach 

Holy God, We are caught in the tension of light and shadow, death and resurrection.

You spoke the world into being, you illuminated the universe by your very speech, then filled the void with life.  Indeed, you have filled the void
of darkness and death, the empty promises of the abyss, with new life and new creation.  

You gave the gift of the Lamb to the Hebrew people for the Passover to provide life in the midst of death, and you gave the gift of your Son to be the Lamb to provide the death that leads to eternal life. 

We look to you in the space between the world and the Kingdom,
longing for the fulfillment of your grace in the Lamb of the Passover and the Lamb of the Cross.  Hear now our confession as we bow before you … 

 

 

Prayer of Confession Unison 

Lord Jesus my Passover Lamb.  We thank you for your shed blood that reminds us of the grace and mercy of God.  Forgive us, Lord, for forgetting your sacrifice and for thinking your grace is cheap.    

Forgive us, Lord, for being calloused to human cruelty, forgetting that every victim is a creature of God.   Forgive us, Lord, for thinking that sacrifice is obsolete, forgetting that we still contend against the powers of darkness. 

 Receive our prayers offered in all humility, as we remember and honor Christ our Lord who prays for us still.  Amen. 

Lament Unison 

God of the night,  where are you in the darkness of this hour?
God of the light surround us illuminate us this hour.
God of all hope embrace our breathless sorrowing this hour.
Wounded God heal us with your open wounds and arms. 

Silence 

Mystery open us to your mystery of love.
Help us to take the hand extended, open for us.
And may we offer the same extended love to all. 

 

Hymn: 209 O love that wilt not let me go

 

Scripture 

Exodus 12: 1-13 

Meditation:  The Passover Lamb  Rev. Shirley Cochrane

In the name  of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Way back - in the book of Genesis, we  have the story of young Joseph – his fathers  favourite  son . But his brothers  hated  him  and  sold him to some traveling merchants  who in turn,  sold him to someone in the Court of the Egyptian pharaoh.  As years went by Josephs family  actually moved there and  became a great population in Egypt

For some 400 years, the people of Israel live in this  strange and foreign land. For a good chunk of this time, they are slaves. Although God is with them through every portion of this,   there comes a time  when God knows  they  must return to their homeland

However, they are still in the land of Egypt  so freedom is still only a future hope. God commissions Moses and Aaron to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. The occasion is fraught with danger and uncertainty, but also great possibility.  Of course Pharaoh denies Moses and Aaron’s request to let the Israelites go

God knows  Pharaoh will not  let these  people go without  confrontation.  The story continues with  God sending  9 plagues through the ministry of Moses – giving the pharaoh  and his people a chance to repent – and  a chance to remind the Hebrew folks  that God’s plans never fail. He will bring the Hebrew folks back to their homeland Isreal.

Now God makes sure that his people have time to think and soak it all in, that they will be informed of what will be necessary, and that they will be ready in a moment’s notice to react when God wanted them to.

Moses gives them  God’s  instructions God has the people take a sheep or a goat without defect and a year old which will be sacrificed in their homes

Then, for four days, they are to prepare themselves mentally and physically for what will come. Everything about their subsequent preparations is precise so that they can act quickly. After they kill the lamb, they are to roast it, the quickest way to prepare it and eat it entirely  sharing with neighbours if necessary  Their sandals are to be on their feet, their staffs in their hand, and their robes tied so as not to trip them up as they walk  toward the dessert God wants the people to be able to celebrate this celebration in peace.

God has one more strategy to accomplish the plan. Moses is instructed to take a bunch of the herb hyssop, dip it into the lamb’s blood and  smear the blood over the doorposts and the lintels.

 That night, the angel of death Passed Over the homes of every one in the land of Egypt. All the firstborn of the land, both men and animals die  except  for the Israelites who sacrificed and identified their doorposts. The next day, their freedom is granted. Thus, they begin to count time from that day forward, as a means of identifying the beginning of their new relationship with God.

The celebration of Passover is not simply as a symbolic gesture to remember an historic event that took place over three thousand years ago. For the Jews, the celebration of Passover is like a sacrament. As they participate in this sacred feast, they believe that the past is brought into the present, that they are, with their ancient ancestors, participants in the saving grace of God , shaping their identity as a people of God.

In a very similar way, God has given you a Lamb. A Lamb whose blood brings salvation to you, much like those lambs brought salvation to the Israelites. The blood of those lambs in Egypt upon the doorposts served as a sign to the people that God would not destroy them. The blood of your Lamb, Jesus, serves as a sign for you that God will not destroy you either

But make no mistake about it. Jesus is a human being born of Mary, and through the power of God’s Spirit, the Word incarnate, the very Son of God. As a result, God sacrificed himself for our redemption, and offers to us, in this sacrament, his very presence, and life giving grace, for our redemption.

Although you and I thankfully contribute nothing to this sacrifice of salvation, in joy God allows you to take part in its memory. V14 reads, “This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord—a lasting ordinance.” In the Old Testament, the Passover was considered by many to be the greatest event ever to transpire, besides perhaps the promise of the Savior spoken of in the Garden of Eden. Passover reminds  us  we need to  be  always  prepared too. Admittedly – sometimes it is  frustrating  when  God’s plans don’t seem to co-ordiinate  with  our plans. However  trusting that Gods  plans are perfect  help us  to travel forward in this journey through life

Tonight we remember  the final celebration of Jesus with  his disciples at Passover  so many centuries ago . As we continue through these holiest of days may we remember that in the midst of trouble, God always  has a plan. Not a murky plan, but one that has been given much attention and detail. God carried out that plan, both in the Passover and in the Sacrifice of the Lamb, to perfection. No detail forgotten. This is the one who sets your ways and watches your path. Follow him home. Amen.

 

Hymn:  242 What wondrous love is this?

 

 

Scripture:  John 13:  1-17, 25-35 

13 It was now the day before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. He had always loved those in the world who were his own, and he loved them to the very end. 

2 Jesus and his disciples were at supper. The Devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, the thought of betraying Jesus.[a] 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him complete power; he knew that he had come from God and was going to God. 4 So he rose from the table, took off his outer garment, and tied a towel around his waist. 5 Then he poured some water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Are you going to wash my feet, Lord?” 

7 Jesus answered him, “You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later.” 

8 Peter declared, “Never at any time will you wash my feet!” 

“If I do not wash your feet,” Jesus answered, “you will no longer be my disciple.” 

9 Simon Peter answered, “Lord, do not wash only my feet, then! Wash my hands and head, too!” 

10 Jesus said, “Those who have taken a bath are completely clean and do not have to wash themselves, except for their feet.[b] All of you are clean—all except one.” (11 Jesus already knew who was going to betray him; that is why he said, “All of you, except one, are clean.”) 

12 After Jesus had washed their feet, he put his outer garment back on and returned to his place at the table. “Do you understand what I have just done to you?” he asked. 13 “You call me Teacher and Lord, and it is right that you do so, because that is what I am. 14 I, your Lord and Teacher, have just washed your feet. You, then, should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you. 16 I am telling you the truth: no slaves are greater than their master, and no messengers are greater than the one who sent them. 17 Now that you know this truth, how happy you will be if you put it into practice! 

….. 

 

26 Jesus said, “I will dip some bread in the sauce and give it to him; he is the man.” So he took a piece of bread, dipped it, and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “Hurry and do what you must!” 28 None of the others at the table understood why Jesus said this to him. 29 Since Judas was in charge of the money bag, some of the disciples thought that Jesus had told him to go and buy what they needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. 

30 Judas accepted the bread and went out at once. It was night. 

The New Commandment 

31 After Judas had left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man's glory is revealed; now God's glory is revealed through him. 32 And if God's glory is revealed through him, then God will reveal the glory of the Son of Man in himself, and he will do so at once. 33 My children, I shall not be with you very much longer. You will look for me; but I tell you now what I told the Jewish authorities, ‘You cannot go where I am going.’ 34 And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.”  (NIV) 

 

Meditation:  The glorified Lamb 

 In this passage that we just read, Jesus is talking about the Son of Man being glorified and we know that glory will be revealed by the Lamb upon the cross.  We are meant to remember the Passover Lamb, who saved the people from death and brought them into a new life, and a new land. 

For the disciples, and for us, this evening when they celebrate the Passover, is filled with richness, not just in the remembrance, but also and perhaps more importantly, by the ways in which Jesus departs from the traditions of the Passover Dinner. 

Everything that happens this evening is a part of the way in which Jesus teaches what it means to glorify God.  Not through great pronouncements or showy gifts, but through humble service and a faithful demonstration of love. 

It starts with the foot washing.  This is a servant’s job.   As this passage begins we are reminded that Jesus knew that the Father had given him all power.  All Power. 

Jesus had all the power.  Jesus had everything that was God’s…. and this is how he demonstrated that power—by washing feet.  Do we hear the echoes of the chants at the Palm Procession—Who is this? 

Who is this?  This is Jesus, the Son of Man, the Son of God, demonstrating that power is best expressed through love. 

With love he kneels before the disciples and washes their feet.  After a long day of walking on dry, dust, rocky roads those feet are sweaty, dirty, tired and aching.  They are at once soothed and cleansed. 

This is the beginning of a long journey from soothed and clean feet to soothed and clean hearts and souls.  The love that Jesus demonstrates cares for the whole person, from dirty feet to heavy hearts to damaged souls.   

This love is the service that glorifies God and through which God will glorify Jesus. 

This act of service is also the beginning of the establishment of unity between people and Jesus.  The disciples are called to serve Jesus, and now Jesus serves them.  They are now empowered in unity with Jesus to fulfill God’s purpose of reconciling all people after Jesus is crucified.   

When we read through the Gospel of John we see that John wants us to know and understand that Jesus has one mission, simply to lead people to God and reconcile all the people of the world with God.  

This is the beginning of the revelation of the glory given to Jesus. 

Jesus then takes another departure from the normal progression of the Passover Supper.  Normally 3 of the 4 pieces of unleavened bread are eaten, and the fourth is left for the Messiah.   

Jesus takes, breaks and blesses that fourth piece of bread, and it is given to the one who will betray him.  Jesus understands what Judas is about to do, and yet he gives him this gift of love and grace as Judas completes the journey of betrayal. 

Do we see  how God is glorified in that love?  Do we see the unfolding of how God will glorify Jesus for giving that love?  He has washed the feet of Judas, he demonstrates that his desire is to wash Judas’ heart and soul as well.  The love of God is given to soothe and cleanse our entire being:  body, heart and soul.  This is how God is glorified, this is why the lamb is glorified by God. 

As soon as Judas departs on his journey of betrayal, Jesus announces, ““Now the Son of Man's glory is revealed; now God's glory is revealed through him. 32 And if God's glory is revealed through him, then God will reveal the glory of the Son of Man in himself, and he will do so at once.” 

Things will move quickly from here.  Betrayal, arrest, hostile trials, crucifixion.  The revelation of God’s glory in Jesus, is a full revelation of love given for others.  The foot washing has set the stage for the glorification of Jesus that would happen on the cross. 

But first, Jesus gives a new commandment, “love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.”   

Jesus has at once been the Master and the Servant.  He has humbled himself before the disciples and brought them into equality with him, and now, he will unite them in his love and his death.  He will bring them with him onto the cross, dying for them.  He will bring us with him onto the cross dying for us. 

On that cross  the full revelation of God’s glory is being poured out on Jesus, the disciples and all believers.  Jesus pours out his love and we are reminded that his final commandment is that we love one another, and indeed all people, with that same love.   

Jesus says, “love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.” 

Love like a servant. 

Love by giving your all. 

Love even when you know another’s heart is not loving. 

Love your enemies. 

God will glorify us in the same way he glorified Jesus.  By giving us his love to share and through which to serve.  When we tap into that love, loving becomes easy and we will share in service to others that glorifies God and reveals him to the nations. 

And hereby is the Lamb of God glorified.  Amen. 

 

Hymn:  229 Jesu, Jesu fill us with your love

The Offering 
Doxology 
Prayer 

 

Gathering Prayer Requests 
Prayers of Intercession 

Loving, listening God, ever-attentive to the voices of those in need, we call on your name so that we might live. 

Now hear our prayer:  For the church that bears Christ’s name, that the world may know we are his disciples by the love that we have for one another.  For this congregation that we may grow in love and dedication and service in your name.  

For leaders of nations and all persons in positions of authority, for Prime Minister Trudeau and the Parliament, for Premier Eby and the Legislature, for Mayor Harrison and the Town Council, that their lives may be marked by Christ-like service and love. 

For all those whom we know are in need of your grace and care: 

 

 

 

 

 

For those who are hungry and thirsty this day  

 

 

 

 

For all those in danger around the world:  

 

 

 

Answer us in the day of trouble, O God, so that we may lift up the cup of salvation in the presence of your people, giving thanks for all your goodness to us; through Jesus Christ our Savior.  Amen. 

 

Hymn:  230 Go to dark Gethsemane

Depart in Silence