Maunday thursday

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I will never, I will not

Matthew 26:30–35 (ESV) And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.”…

Awkward family dinners (Thursday)

If you ever come to my parent’s house for dinner, you’ll probably be surprised that you’re dining with a pastor. In my defense, there are also two worship leaders and a current church elder at the dinner. It’s not that we’re irreverent or “bad in any way, it’s just that sarcasm happens to be a Steffen trait that has been passed down through the generations like that hutch that no one wants but also won’t get rid of. We know…

three times

Is it lying if, when you say something that eventually proves to be false, you really meant it at the time? That is the question running through Peter’s head as he paces back and forth in the upper room that night. Just a few hours ago he and Jesus had sat next to each other at the table. He had fed him the bread. He had passed him the cup. There had been such calm and peace in the room…

And they ran…

The table was set. When they entered the room everything was laid in its place and ready for the meal. Peter and John had done a masterful job. So far today had been calmer, and without much commotion. A simple sermon in the city, and catching up with old friends. After the last few days, it was a welcome relief. Now there would be a meal together - perhaps things were finally going to get back to normal.  John and…

Holy Week Devotional, Maunday Thursday, The Last Supper, Passover Meal

Thursday – A cup

A cup. Nothing that people hadn’t seen before, but tonight it meant so much more. A single, solitary cup, sitting in the middle of the table, surrounded by bread - and perhaps some grapes and olives - waiting to be filled. It was common for them to have bread and wine with every meal, they were staples of the time and place, and tonight would be no different in THAT regard. But there, in the middle of the table sat…

Thursday – ‘a not so silent night’

Dinner parties are supposed to be fun. People dress up and gather together over great food and perhaps some wine, to catch up, tell stories, and enjoy one another’s company. Tonight will not be that kind of party. Tonight is a night where the story of the world is changing. Jesus will give his final instructions. He will tell his friends that not only is one of them going to deny him, another about to betray him, but he will…

Maunday Thursday

Awkward. That’s the best way to describe that dinner. First there was the whole ‘one of you is going to betray me’ thing. Judas wasn't so much a fan of that. Then there was the part where Peter told Jesus ‘I will never leave you even if everyone else does’, and Jesus said ‘actually Peter, I’m going to single you out and say that you’re going to deny me three times before the sun rises.’ And all of that was…