Maundy Thursday

"So you are Simnon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas. (which means Peter)".
John 1:42

Around the world today churches are celebrating what is often called Maundy Thursday. It is a celebration of the day that Jesus and the disciples gathered in an upper room to share what we have since labeled the Last Supper. In actuality, Jesus and the disciples gathered to share in the observance of the Passover Meal that commemorated the night that the death angel had passed over the homes of their ancestors in Egypt because of the blood of the Lamb on the doorposts. A significant part of Maundy Thursday ties to the act of washing the disciples' feet in a show of servanthood.

It was an amazing night as Jesus took the bread and the cup and said from now on these will symbolize my body broken for you and my blood spilled out in your behalf, signifying the cross.
It was also an agonizing night where they gathered in Gethsemane and Jesus struggled in prayer while the disciples slept. Before the evening was complete Judas had betrayed the Lord, and SImon Peter had denied Him three times.

As I think about Peter that night, I am reminded of the first encounter he had with Jesus. Andrew had been listening to John the Baptist, when Jesus walked up and the Baptizer said, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." Andrew engaged Jesus in conversation and was soon convinced that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ. He hurried and found his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at Simon and said, "You are Simon, but you will be Peter." That is the way Jesus is. He sees us not only as we are, but as what we can be under His transforming power.

Jesus looks at you like that today. He knows who and what you are. But He also sees all of the potential locked up inside of you and which He can release if you will surrender to Him. Today, why not let Jesus have His way in your life? He can make you more than you ever dreamed possible.