Eight Days, Part 5: Maundy Thursday

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

On Maundy Thursday, Jesus was preparing physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

for Easter?

More than just a timeline…

Jesus awakens in Bethany (Mark 14)

Peter and John sent to prepare for the Passover (Luke 22:7–13)

Jesus walks to Jerusalem (Matthew 26:17–20)

After sunset, Jesus eats a meal with his closest friends, washes their feet and shares Communion and the New Covenant for the first time (John 13:1–17, Matt. 26:17–30)

Judas leaves and prepares to turn Jesus over to the Sanhedrin (John 13:30)

Jesus goes to the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36–46)

The disciples fall asleep (Matthew 26:40–41)

Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested (Luke 22:47)

Jesus is taken to the house of Caiaphas, the High Priest (Matthew 26:57–68)

Jesus is betrayed by Peter (Matthew 26:69–75)

The trials begin (Matthew 26:57–68)

On the brink of paying for our salvation, Jesus chooses:

with close friends

Embracing all that will become

—not my will, but yours be done.

Question:
What are you choosing this Holy Week?

Small Group Questions

1. Are you more of a “plan every detail” type or “play it by ear” type?
2. How do you prepare for a moment in your life that you know will include a large investment of emotion and energy?
3. Read the timeline and the scriptures? What is God saying to you about the way Jesus approached Holy Thursday?
4. Which of the choices Jesus made (listed above) do you need to make this week to make sure you fully embrace Easter?
5. What’s one part of your life you can do without (remove, eliminate, shift, postpone) during Holy Week so that you can fully focus on Jesus and His journey to the cross?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?