Lutheran Lectionary for 02 April 2026 (Maundy Thursday)

0:30Welcome to the Lutheran Lictionary Podcast from Confident Faith. I am Corey J. Moller, a contributor here at Confident Faith and I will be your reader today. This Monday Thursday, the 2nd of April, in the year of our Lord, 2026, in the time of Easter. Our readings for today are Exodus chapter 24, verses 3 through 11, Psalm 116, verses 12 through 19, Hebrews chapter 9, verses 11 through 22, and Matthew chapter 26, verses 17 through 30. We will close, as always, with the Lord's Prayer. Today's first reading comes from the book of Exodus and we will be reading the 24th chapter

1:33verses 3 through 11. And Moses went in and recounted to the people all God's words and statutes, and all the people answered with one voice saying, all the words that the Lord has spoken we will do in heed. And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord. Now early in the morning, Moses constructed an altar at the foot of the mountain and twelve stones for the twelve tribes of Israel. And he sent the young men at the sons of Israel, and they offered whole-burned offerings and sacrificed a sacrifice of deliverance to God, bull calves. Now taking half of the blood, Moses poured it into bulls, the half of the blood he poured out towards the altar, and taking the book the covenant he read in the ears of the people and they said, all that the Lord has said we will do in heed. Then Moses taking the blood, scattered it over the people and said, look, the blood of the covenant that the Lord made with you concerning all these words. And Moses and Aaron and Adab in Abiyud and seventy of the elders' counsel of Israel went

2:38up, and they saw the place, there were the God of Israel stood, and that which was beneath his feet, like something made from lapis lazuli brick, and like the appearance of the firmament of heaven and purity, and not even one of the chosen of Israel perished, and they appeared in the place of God and were eating and drinking. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. He's reading from the Psalter is from the 116th Psalm, and we will be reading verses 12 through 19. What shall I return to the Lord for all that he returned to me? A cup of deliverance I will take, and the name of the Lord I will call upon. Precious before the Lord is the death of his devout ones. All Lord, I am a slave of yours, I am a slave of yours and son of your serving girl. You broke through my bonds. To you I will sacrifice a sacrifice of praise, my vows I will pay to the Lord before all

3:43his people, in courts of the Lord's house, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Glory be to the Father, and the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forevermore, Amen. Today's epistle reading comes from the book of Hebrews, and we will be reading the ninth chapter, verses 11 through 22. But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, even through the greater and more perfect tent, not made with hands, that is not of this creation. He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and cows, but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. Therefore the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of defiled persons, with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh.

4:44How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance. Since a death has occurred, that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death. Since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool, and hissep, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people saying, this is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you. And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used

5:46in worship. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Today's Gospel reading comes from the book of Matthew, and we will be reading the 26th chapter, verses 17-30. Now in the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus saying, where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover? He said, go into the city to a certain man and say to him, that teacher says, by time is at hand, I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. And as they were eating he said, truly I say to you, one of you will be tray-me.

6:46And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, is it I, Lord? He answered, he who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will be tray-me. The son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the son of man is betrayed. It would have been better for that man if he had not been born. Judas who would betray him answered, is it I, Rabbi? He said to him, you have said so. Now as they were eating Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples and said, take, eat, this is my body. He took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, drink of it all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you and my father's kingdom. And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the mount of olives.

7:47This is the gospel of the Lord. Praise be to thee, O Christ. I now invite all of you to join me in reciting the Lord's Prayer, one of the most ancient prayers of the church. I do encourage you to say it aloud if you are somewhere would be reasonable to do so, but praying it silently is, of course, also fine. The Lord knows what is in your heart. Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. It lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever, Amen.

8:52Go in peace and grace to serve our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in whatever calling has been given you, or tasks set before you. Until tomorrow, God be with you.