Today, I want to share my thoughts with you about Holy Thursday.

Look at this opening verse from John 13: “Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”

What a wonderful statement of compassion: “He loved them to the end.”

On the day He observed the Passover with His disciples, He shared His last supper with them. He told them beforehand that He would be betrayed and He would be going back to the Father. Indirectly, He was telling them He would die. As someone saying His final goodbyes, Jesus lovingly prepared His disciples’ hearts for what was about to take place. He spoke to them about many things, giving them His final instructions. He also showed them what humble leadership truly looks like—by washing His disciples’ feet. In doing so, He made it clear that those who follow Him are called to serve, even in the lowliest places, rather than seek to be served.

He told them that He would be leaving soon, and that they could not yet follow Him where He was going. In order that they would remember those final moments and what was about to happen, He instructed them to share the bread and the cup until He returns. This is what we, as believers and followers of Jesus Christ, continue to do when we observe Holy Communion. It is a covenant. It is a commitment between us and God. It reminds us of His sacrifice on the cross, and of His promise that He will come again. And He is coming again!

It is never easy to lose someone we love—especially someone we have walked with so closely, day after day, hour after hour, moment by moment. One can only imagine how heavy that night must have felt for the disciples, even when they did not yet fully understand what was about to happen. And yet, in those final moments, Jesus’ concern was not for Himself, but for them—loving them, encouraging them, warning them, and preparing their hearts.

The amazing thing is, Jesus prayed for us that same night–the future generations. He prayed for all those who would believe in Him through the witness of the disciples. In John 17:20, it says, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word.”

As we remember Holy Thursday, let us reflect on that time and hold on to the words He spoke—words that continue to give us hope. And Scripture is filled with such words of encouragement.

Blessed be the Lord Jesus Christ.