March 28, Maundy Thursday ~ Giving Up Self-Sufficiency

Giving Up Self-Sufficiency

Matthew 26:14-75

On this Maundy (Holy) Thursday, we are asked to give up self-sufficiency. Ressler gives us a difficult scripture to read, yet every year, we need to endure this multi-valent level of rejection so we can feel even a modicum of connection to the sacrifices Jesus made on our behalf. Ressler takes this opportunity to talk about our need to ask for help. How poignant.

When reading Ressler’s experience as a pastor and praying for people, I couldn’t help but remember my first seminary internship. I served a small but mighty church with about 30 members in the congregation each Sunday. They were a “praying bunch” of people. The pastoral prayer and prayers for the people that happened during the service were powerful, expansive, and not to be rushed.

One Sunday, when I was serving the church, a former pastor stopped by and joined us for worship. We had heard that he was on a medical sabbatical due to a very grave diagnosis he had just been given. He sat in the back of the small sanctuary during worship, probably just wanting to blend in, but we all knew he was there, and some of us even saw him crying during the service. Immediately after worship, a few people gathered around him and asked if they could lay hands on him and pray for him.

I don’t know if he would have had the strength or courage to ask that for himself, but thank God he didn’t have to. Pastors rarely ask for prayers, let alone for themselves. This congregation knew exactly what to do. They gently, lovingly, and ardently lifted him up and all he and his family would soon face. It was the most beautiful display of Christian love and care I have ever witnessed.

Don’t wait. Ask for help. Be in tune so you can recognize when others need help. Maybe you will be the one to step in before someone asks.