Devotion for Holy (Maundy) Thursday | Church Year (Year A)

Our Holy Thursday devotion focuses on Psalm 116 and our reading comes from Blessed Is the Man: Psalms of Praise.

Scripture Readings

Exodus 24:3–11
Psalm 116:12–19
Hebrews 9:11–22
Matthew 26:17–30

OR

Exodus 12:1–14
Psalm 116:12–19
1 Corinthians 11:23–32
John 13:1–17, 31b–35

Introduction

God works through His creation to provide for our every need, both physical and spiritual. In Holy Communion, we receive our Lord’s true body and blood in, with, and under the common forms of bread and wine. In this blessed meal, He imparts to us the gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation.

Devotional Reading

Today the psalmist asks, “What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits to me?” Think about all God has given us. God is the Creator of this earth and everything in it. He took six days to create our universe, then rested on the seventh day. Perhaps God was so into the beautiful art He had created in nature that He rested to enjoy it! He has given us life; He has also given us parents, brothers, sisters, kids, and friends. He designed our world so that we can have everything we need to survive. Even after mankind’s fall into sin, He revealed Himself and His plan of salvation, first to Adam and Eve, and then to prophets and authors of Scripture, giving them more and more information about a more perfect future through the coming Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth.

God reveals His divine nature and His creative power in creation. He is the teacher of all scientists. He hangs two symbols in the sky to light the days and the nights. Even more, He is so gracious that His Holy Spirit gives us faith through the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that, believing, we are healed from our sin. He hears everything we talk about, sees everything we see, and knows all of our problems. God is understanding and compassionate to all who follow Him. God fills our hearts with joy and love. God looks at all of us as children and always comforts us. He is a God who “so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

_{Devotional reading is from Blessed Is the Man: Psalms of Praise, page 78 © 2010 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved.}