Lent Devotional: Maundy Thursday

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (PTS) has published daily devotionals throughout this Lenten season. The reflection for Maundy Thursday was written by Rev. John F. Magnuson, Associate Pastor for Discipleship at Shadyside Presbyterian Church and M.Div. graduate ’13 from PTS.

Scripture

John 17:1-11 (Read the passage here)

Devotional

Through this journey of Lent, we slow our pace to a crawl during Holy Week. We pause each day to remember the last moments of Jesus’ earthly life before His crucifixion. On this Maundy Thursday, we find ourselves with the disciples resting at the feet of Jesus as He offers this prayer.

With Jesus’ prayer washing over us, we wish for His words to linger just a little while longer, so that we may bask in His love and care for us. We hold on to these words, for we know that the words to come next are those of betrayal. Together, Jesus’ prayer and His subsequent betrayal act for us as a mirror in which we see, simultaneously, both God’s desire for us and our own disobedient brokenness.

As we pause to sit with Jesus’ prayer, may we also sit with Him on the night of His betrayal. Resting in this tension, may we sit still enough to see through the cracks of our lives as His grace shines through to fulfill the hope of His prayer.

Prayer

Ever faithful God, we give You thanks that, on the night of Your betrayal, You were not concerned for Yourself, but prayed for us, and for all Your disciples, that we may be one. By Your Spirit, unite us through Your grace, peace, and love. Amen.

Contributed by Rev. John F. Magnuson, Associate Pastor for Discipleship at Shadyside Presbyterian Church

This Lenten devotional was originally published online here.

Rooted in the Reformed tradition, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is preparing people for existing and new ministries, in a variety of communities.