Posted By Michael Breznau on Mar 29, 2018

On this rather cold, cloudy, and rainy March afternoon, I’m reminded of the dark, omnious day nearly 2,000 years ago when Jesus the Son took our place on the cross, dying the death we deserved as the perfect Lamb of God. Through His blood, we receive mercy, the atonement for sin, and life forever in communion with God.

We rejoice in this good news with the apostle Paul, who wrote:

“When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”  (Colossians 2:13-14)

Tomorrow is Good Friday, a pivotal day of remembrance on the calendar for God’s redeemed people. We will gather at 6pm @ Mayfair Bible Church for a brief yet poignant reflection on the sacrificial death of Jesus the Christ. We hope and pray your schedule allows you to join with us as we sing, pray, hear from God’s Word, and receive the Lord’s Supper together.

Here’s my latest Q & A video:

What is Maundy Thursday?

Last week, I drove by a church sign that outlined a schedule for Maundy Thursday. Now, I’ve heard excerpts and comments about Maundy Thursday over the years. But as one raised in a non-denominational evangelical church, this particular calendar event usually skipped right by us without so much as a passing nod.

Some of you may have been raised in churches where Maundy Thursday or “Holy Thursday” (as some call it) was common practice. But I think for you and I alike, the rather deep meaning and significance of this holiday probably breezed by.

The rather peculiar word “Maundy” is derived from the Latin word Mandatum, which means “commandment.” This refers to the key instructions Jesus gave to His disciples at the close of the Last Supper on Thursday evening:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Jesus was preparing to display the immeasurable depth and grandeur of God’s love through dying in our place on the cross. He continued to elaborate on this love in His Upper Room teaching:

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:12-13)

Throughout church history, Christians have remembered this important command of Christ on the eve of His crucifixion by celebrating Maundy Thursday. Most often, a more informal celebration of the Lord’s Supper is a part of this worship gathering. Some churches also hold foot-washing ceremonies, as well, to recall the picture of self-sacrificial service Christ modeled for His disciples.

Although we here at Mayfair are not holding a formal Maundy Thursday gathering, I encourage you to take a moment to read through Chapter 13 of the Gospel of John, as you prepare for our communion gathering on Good Friday.

See you on Friday… and Sunday!