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Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is perhaps most popularly known as the day that Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper and washed the feet of his disciples. Sometimes we remember that it is also the night of his betrayal and arrest in the garden.

Less often do we associate the day with what occurs between those last two. After the meal, Jesus takes his disciples to the garden where at least three of his closest friends nap on and off. Jesus though prays. We don't have a record of all that he prayed waiting for his arrest.

We do know that even as he has emptied himself to set the example of feet washing, here he does two things - he says two things. The first is that he would not have to drink this cup - of crucifixion, of mocking, of torture. Having emptied himself, he would rather not empty himself further in this way.

And yet the second thing he says is instructive for us and tells us why Paul can tell us that Jesus is the Second Adam. This second is that while he would rather not go through with this plan, he would subjugate his will for that of the Father's - not my will, but yours.

For Jesus, this cup is one of anguish, of pain, of debasement. It is the pouring out of his blood for the will of God. He will drink this cup over the next several hours, into tomorrow afternoon in fact. Only then will he be able to cry, "it is finished!" The life of the being is in its blood and Jesus will pour out his blood after having poured out his life for the Father.

For you.

This reality, foreshadowed by his words and actions during the meal completes his mission, his purpose. They are the culmination of his incarnation.

He will drink this cup.

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