Maundy Thursday!

For Thursday, April 2, 2026, Maundy Thursday:

Matthew 26:21 NLT: “While they were eating (the Last Supper), Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.”

This was an unpleasant day in the Christian diary. Jesus knew this was their last meal together. He knew the end was imminent. But the 12 remained optimistic despite opposition from Jewish leaders and the Roman government. God, in his wisdom, made this day of suffering go quickly.

Before the meal, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, a task usually executed by servants. Jesus emphasized that he had come to serve, not to be served. Simon Peter protested, but eventually relented. Following the meal, Jesus instituted what we call Holy Communion, telling those present to “Do this in remembrance of me.” They then adjourned to the Mount of Olives.

Judas Iscariot later betrayed Jesus, pointing him out so he could be arrested by representatives of the leading priests and elders. He was brought before the high priest, Caiaphas, and those involved in the conspiracy sought witnesses who would lie about Jesus to get him killed. Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. This all happened overnight. The rooster crowed the next morning.

Found guilty in a kangaroo court, it was up to Mount Calvary. Jesus had been beaten and spat upon, then nailed to a cross stuck high in the air. The 12 had abandoned him, fearing for their own lives, I suspect.

The story ends tomorrow, on Good Friday. Or does it?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Scripture Fulfilled!

Daily message of hope...
For Sunday, August 31, 2025:

John 13:18b, Jesus speaking: “This fulfills the Scripture that says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’”

Jesus is referring to Psalm 34:9. It’s one thing to claim to be the Messiah, but another to fulfill ancient prophesies! Jesus was again proving that he was heaven-sent!

Omniscient Jesus already knew who would betray him. It was one of the twelve, Judas Iscariot. We know their famous meal as the “Last Supper.”

For his last night on earth, Jesus (being God) could have done anything he wanted. But what he chose to do was to take a meal with his best friends, his church friends. Jesus instituted the bread and the cup that night, what we call Holy Communion. And Judas, who thought he was betraying Jesus, was actually fulfilling God’s vast eternal plan. Jesus needed to die to take the sins of the world to the place of the dead, his primary mission in coming to earth. In fact, everything that happened that Good Friday, including the crucifixion, brought God’s plan to fruition.

God’s way is always the right way. God’s way is always the best way! And because, in the grace of God’s plan, we are redeemed!

Pastor Norton Lawellin
Jesus In the City Fellowship

Maundy Thursday!

For Thursday, April 17, 2025:

John 13:21 NLT: “Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!”

Today is Maundy Thursday. We remember Jesus gathering his best friends for their final meal together. He left us with the sacrament of Holy Communion. “Do this to remember me.” And it’s Jesus’ final night as a human walking the earth alongside mankind. He was betrayed by Judas, falsely arrested and judged guilty by those in power, steps that would lead to his crucifixion. Things appear to have been falling apart at a surprisingly rapid pace! But God may have been thinking, “If Jesus is to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world, let’s not drag this out!” Just my theory.

Most people are sad, even to the point of morbid, on Good Friday. But we should be glad that Jesus took the sins of the world to the place of the dead. Believers were thereby redeemed! And this whole scenario was fulfilling God’s plan to rescue mankind! God’s plan can’t be bad!

In the Hebrew culture 2k years ago, any part of a day was counted as a day. Jesus died and was placed in a tomb on Friday. Saturday was the Sabbath when no work could be done. And on Sunday, Jesus was resurrected, amazingly brought back to life. Three days! He would eventually return to the Father in heaven!

Mankind would be amazed!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Pray; that's what Jesus did!

January 31, 2011 Monday Message:

Jesus, praying: “I am praying … for all who will ever believe in me.” John 17:20a

Prayer needs to be on your agenda. Jesus was known for stepping away from the group, finding a quiet place, and spending time with the Father. If prayer matters to Jesus, it should matter to you too.

During the Last Supper, his final Passover meal, Jesus took time to pray for you and me. He prayed that all his followers would be of one mind. He prayed that one day we could join him again, to see him shining in all the glory the Father had given him.

In spite of the impending crucifixion, unselfish prayer remained on Jesus’ to-do list. He prayed for the apostles, for other believers, and even for future believers in the 21st century.

That’s right – Jesus prayed for YOU! So lift your voice! Be a part of what Jesus taught us to do. You can and should, in Jesus’ name, pray to the Father. Try it today.

Norton Lawellin