Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday, 29 March, 2018    Exodus 12:1-14

Passover marks a new era for the people of Israel and foreshadows the new spiritual Israel in Christ, the perfect Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. (See 1 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 7:27) 1

The lamb’s slaughter takes place at twilight, literally “between the evenings” (12:7). It is the hour of transition between day and night, a time of ending and beginning. The lamb’s blood upon the doorposts of the Israelites’ houses similarly marks transition. These houses are not their permanent dwellings. They provide short-term protection. But their most important feature is the doorway, site of entry and exit. The life-blood of the lamb marks that exit, protecting, hallowing, and preparing their departure from slavery in Egypt. From death to life.

Hymn: Jesus, Greatest at the Table (Lutheran Service Book 446:5)
Jesus gave to His disciples
A commandment that was new;
“Show My love to one another,
Do as I have done for you;
All the world will know you love Me
As you love each other too.”

O Lord, I am in need of a Shepherd to seek and save me, for I am a straying sheep. You are the Good Shepherd who seeks and saves the lost. Save me, O Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. 

O Lord God, who hast left unto us in a wonderful Sacrament a memorial of Thy Passion, grant, we beseech Thee, that we may so use this Sacrament of Thy body and blood that the fruits of Thy redemption may continually be manifest in us.

Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before He suffered, instituted the Sacrament of His Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen 2

1 Lutheran Study Bible, © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis

2 Collect for Maundy Thursday, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm