The great event that so often we associate with Maundy Thursday is the washing of the disciples feet by Jesus which I meditated on last year. This year I am following the Gospel lectionary readings and today we see Jesus before Pilate and Herod (Luke 23:1-25).
The Gospel reading this year for Monday of Holy week is Luke 22:1-23. I am going to be following the readings this year rather than going through chronologically.
There is a song/hymn that we often sing in Church called “In Christ Alone”. Part of one of the verses runs like this:
We’ve come to the last supper. John’s Gospel has a large section on the Last Supper and has a series of actions and discourses that gets behind the ministry of Jesus. Its shot through with symbolism and meaning.
The lectionary reading for today is a scene from the Last Supper. Indeed more specifically its the scene where Judas leaves to betray Jesus.
Today’s reading, in the Church of England lectionary, is a strange one. It starts by describing a group of Greek people who wish to talk to Jesus.
One of the things that you get from reading and re-reading the Gospels again and again is the sense and depth of the emotions. It’s also the universality of the themes.
How do you portray Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem? What art works for it? It’s a strange event. It has Jesus, a donkey, weeping, a crowd shouting out, a city, a group of protagonists, high drama and expectation. Surely, all the ingredients for a great work of art. Yet it is a strange event.
In Koine Greek, indeed in all early Greek, there is no punctuation. No mark to signify a break.
Indeed in the ancient manuscripts no verse numbering or chapters.
Just text. Read More
Do we expect Jesus’ prayers to be answered?
Do you think that if Jesus prayed for you His prayer would be answered? Read More
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