Tracy Sybesma

Genealogies often look like a grocery list of names. But if you take the time to “listen,” a genealogy reveals a story—a thread woven into the history of a family that connects one generation to the next. The genealogy in Matthew 1 tells the story of Christ’s human ancestors; evidence that God became flesh and dwelt with us. Jesus was born into a family whose history, like ours, is filled with stories of heroes and stories that people might prefer to leave hidden.

Our worship planning team wanted to create a Maundy Thursday worship service that would provide historical and cultural context to Christ’s final hours before his crucifixion and offer an opportunity for the congregation to experience the symbols in a fresh way. I was challenged by our team to develop a vigil with a celebration of the Lord’s Supper as the centerpiece. In preparation, I immersed myself in the Passion narratives, commentaries, and historical accounts.