Maundy Thursday Service Tonight

This is the seventh year we’ll hold a Maundy Thursday service at
@V21Church. It was originally born out of a desire to bring
greater depth and understanding to Easter, which has the tendency to
become more about the post-service meal instead of the betrayal and
murder of God’s Son, the willingness of God to pour out his wrath on
Jesus, who bore our sin, and the victory of Jesus over death.

Traditionally in the church, the Maundy Thursday service includes a
ceremony based on the washing of the disciples’ feet by Jesus in John
13, and his call to then wash each other’s feet. While this is a
beautiful reminder of our service and sacrifice to one another, we
focus on the other events of the evening- the Last Supper, the agony of
Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the betrayal of Christ.

This year, we’re specifically honing in on the betrayal. Jesus Christ was alone on the cross.
In the weeks and months prior to the crucifixion, the disciples often
spoke as if they had something to offer God, or that they deserved
honor. On the night Jesus was betrayed they professed undying loyalty,
and soon after deserted their Teacher, Master, and Lord. While the
tendency is to judge the disciples for their action, we are guilty of
this same pride. Although we have no part in the saving work of Jesus
except that it’s our sin he bore, faced with the grace of God we
somehow hold onto some sort of entitlement. This year’s Maundy Service
is designed to strip away our pride, piece by piece.

It is a reflective, somber service in nature, but this darkness
brings greater understanding of God’s love and grace. Easter will be an
amazing celebration, but do not miss the Maundy Thursday Service.

Rehearsal Pictures by Geoff Wood