Maundy Thursday, April 2, 2026

Opening Scripture

LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart; whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others; who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the LORD; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind; who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken. Psalm 15

Opening Prayer

Gracious Father, on this Maundy Thursday, we remember our Lord’s command to love one another. I am called to love others as you love me. My love for you and those in your family is a testimony to the world that I am a disciple of Jesus. By your Spirit’s power, help me to honor, encourage, bless, and forgive those I encounter today in a way that brings glory to you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

John 18:28-40

Then the Jewish leaders took Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness they did not enter the palace, because they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and asked, “What charges are you bringing against this man?” “If he were not a criminal,” they replied, “we would not have handed him over to you.”

Pilate said, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” “But we have no right to execute anyone,” they objected. This took place to fulfill what Jesus had said about the kind of death he was going to die.

Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate.

With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release ‘the king of the Jews’?” They shouted back, “No, not him! Give us Barabbas!” Now Barabbas had taken part in an uprising.

Reflection  

The religious leaders’ actions and statements over these several hours illustrate how far they had collectively fallen. The “blind guides” were leading each other – and the people under their care – far astray.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke tell us that the chief priests and other officials convened another session of the Sanhedrin after daybreak to provide some semblance of legitimacy to their actions. “The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward” (Matthew 26:59-60).

The best they could do was condemn Jesus’ statement, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.” The high priest tore his clothes and screamed, “Blasphemy!” The others shouted, “He is worthy of death!” They spat in Jesus’ face and slapped Him. However, there was no formal charge and, when they took Jesus to Pilate, they couldn’t offer a specific accusation against Him.

The false piety and misplaced priorities of these religious leaders are on full display throughout the day’s events. These “whitewashed tombs full of dead men’s bones” were more concerned about appearances and “ceremonial uncleanness” than living justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. They feigned righteousness as they plotted murder. “Passover” here refers to the whole weeklong festival of Unleavened Bread, which included several special meals.

Taken together, the four gospels report six separate “trials” that Jesus endured between his arrest and crucifixion. There were three religious trials: before Annas, before Caiaphas, and before the Sanhedrin. There were three civil trials: before Pilate, before Herod, and before Pilate again. Each gospel writer focuses on certain aspects of the events.

Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, was tolerant of Jewish customs to a degree, but he was ultimately accountable to his Roman superiors. Normally, the governor lived in Caesarea, but during the festivals, it was prudent for him to be in Jerusalem. The relationship between Pilate and the religious leaders was strained and tense. During his ten-year rule, Pilate often clashed with the Jewish authorities.

One of the formal restrictions the Roman occupiers had placed on the Jews was the inability to execute someone. The religious leaders could authorize some executions by stoning (like Deacon Stephen), but they could not crucify Jesus, and that was “the kind of death he was going to die.” “The Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him” (John 3:14). “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself” (John 12:32).

The hostility between Pilate and the religious leaders is evident in their verbal exchange. Pilate likely knew what was going on, and he refused to be their executioner. He was aware of the “Triumphal Entry” a few days before and realized these religious leaders felt threatened by Jesus and were motivated by jealousy.

The Sanhedrin could condemn, but only the Romans could execute. Pilate would be completely unimpressed by the charge of “blasphemy” – especially over a claim to be able to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days. Instead, Luke tells us that they accused Jesus of “subverting our nation, opposing payment of taxes to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king.”

Pilate decided that Jesus was innocent of the charges. He was no threat to Rome. His kingdom was from another place. He was the King of Truth. Pilate’s dismissal of the charges ensured that Jesus was indeed “the Passover Lamb without blemish.”

Flourishing Habit

Character and Virtue

“What is truth?” Pilate’s question has echoed through the ages. Whether he was cynical, irritated, or philosophical in that moment, the irony is that the Truth was standing before Pilate, and Pilate turned away.

Pilate’s lack of good character and moral conviction is evidenced in his unwillingness to simply grant Jesus His freedom. If Jesus were innocent, He should have been immediately released. Instead, Pilate sought to compromise in a difficult situation.

According to Luke, when Pilate discovered that Jesus was from Galilee, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem for the festival (Luke 23:5-12). Herod and his entourage hoped for some entertainment from Jesus, but He offered no response. After mocking Jesus with the assembled group, Herod sent Him back to Pilate.

Having struck out with Herod, Pilate attempted another compromise. He tried bypassing the religious leaders and appealing to the people. After all, they had cheered wildly for Jesus only days before at his Triumphal Entry into the city.

How quickly things can change. The crowd is truly fickle! The ones who shouted “Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel!” now shouted, “Give us Barabbas!” Barabbas was a convicted murderer and insurrectionist. Releasing him was a true threat to Rome. Pilate’s plan had backfired, but it was too late now.

Are you ever tempted to cut corners or compromise your convictions?

If it disappoints or disagrees with those around you, do you sometimes find it easier to ignore your “moral compass” and take the easy way out?

The greater the challenge and the more difficult the situation, the more important the virtues of character and integrity are. Our character and integrity are both forged and revealed in tough and demanding circumstances. In those moments, we must choose between compromising or upholding the truth.

From a Flourishing Together standpoint, research shows that individuals with strong character and virtue experience better mental and physical health, greater life satisfaction, and more meaningful relationships.

What is truth? The better question is, “Who is Truth?” God is the source of truth, and all truth is God’s truth. Jesus declared that He is the embodiment of Truth. Jesus promised that the Spirit of Truth would dwell in His followers and guide them into all truth. True worshippers must worship the Father in spirit and truth. And Jesus promised that the truth would set us free.

In an age of “fake news,” we desperately need to commit ourselves to the Truth expressed in the Person, work, and teaching of Jesus. The best way to spot a fake is to know the Truth. Do you?

Remember: Nothing changes until something changes!