TURNING POINT

One of the first questions I got after being hired at Sardinia Baptist Church back in mid-March was "Would you be interested in leading a special service for Maundy Thursday?"

I gave an enthusiastic "Yes!"

I think it's a shame when churches skip straight from Palm Sunday to Resurrection Sunday. So much truly heavy stuff happened to Jesus and around Jesus in those days in between. It's really not possible to appreciate Easter without reliving some of the pain, darkness, and brokenness that drove Jesus to the cross in the first place.

Maundy Thursday, of course, is a recognition of the Last Supper, the last bit of "normal" in celebrating the Passover, just before all hell broke loose with the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus. 

Even though the disciples had no clue what was coming, Jesus certainly knew. Luke notes that Jesus says to the 12 at the start of their meal, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer." (Luke 22:15) 

Even in the midst of what is about to drop, Jesus finds joy in revealing to His disciples how His body and blood are about to open a new era in human history.

It is a turning point: a new covenant between God and humanity.