“The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me’” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ).
As I am writing this, it is not at all certain that churches will be permitted to hold Maundy Thursday Services because of the Covid-19 outbreak. Jesus’ command to “do this to remember me” will have to wait in abeyance to be fulfilled. For now, we can’t “do this” except in certain limited circumstances. We can, however, obey the portion of the command that says “to remember me.” On this day we remember what the Lord did for us.
We remember not just the way Jesus transformed the Passover ritual into the Lord’s Supper, but the whole of what he did, his birth, teaching and miracles, last supper, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection. It all fits together.
There is, however, another commandment Jesus gave on this night, “love one another.” This one no virus can stop us from fulfilling. We’re going to have to be a little more creative in obeying this command. We can still keep in contact with one another. We can provide help where we have the opportunity to do so safely. We can still send our offerings to the church. We can pray for the all people according to their needs.
May the Lord Jesus keep you in his care until we can again gather around his table and share his supper.
Read John 13:34-35 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.
Joy Lutheran Church Ocala, Florida 