Day 38 | Maundy Thursday

Reflection

Let’s be clear - we’re not just adding Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday onto the end of our confidence devotional to fit the church calendar. It’s the other way around – confidence is present throughout Jesus’ journey to the cross.

Think of Jesus presiding over the Passover meal with his disciples. There’s astonishing confidence in everything He does, including in the shocking phrase, ‘eagerly desired’.

Eagerly desired here implies a deep passionate longing or setting your heart on something. Eagerly desired is a shocking phrase when we consider the suffering which is imminent for Jesus! He is confident in what He is about to do.

Surely Jesus wants to instil confidence in His followers through the Passover meal and its deep meaning. We can see the six themes from this devotional series right in the story of the Passover meal (Luke 22:7–38), which has become our communion ritual:

1. Being convinced as a route to confidence, is there for the disciples. Jesus provided communion as a powerful way to remember Him and be reassured of His victory on the cross.
2. Communion is to be shared with fellow believers – strengthening our community.
3. Around the table, Jesus shows His compassion in love, words, and service.
4. Jesus instructs us to consistently share communion together in remembrance of Him.
5. Jesus competently combines clear teaching with humble service for His disciples.
6. Jesus courageously continues to take the brave steps He knows lead to the cross.

Responding in prayer

Lord, next time I share in communion with others, may it grow my confidence as I remember Your death for us.

Thank you that You demonstrated courageous confidence at every painful step towards the cross.