Maundy Thursday: How to Find Peace in the Grief of the Unknowns

My sister Angie died when I was a sophomore in college. She was only 32 years old. I was still a teenager at the time and didn’t understand how someone so young could die. Of a dreaded disease like cancer of all things. I’d come to find that death, dying, disease, pain, and suffering have no age limit. For years I struggled with the grief of the unknowns. How did this happen? What is going to happen to her boys? Our family? How do I navigate this as a teenager? How do I navigate this as a new Christ follower? Can this happen to me? What if? and Now what? How do we find peace in the grief of the unknowns?

In thinking about this, I thought of how so many who journeyed with Jesus during what we now call Holy Week must have felt. And how as grievers we feel when we encounter a loss. Whether a fresh loss or a seasoned one. Now enters Maundy Thursday. At the heart of this day holds the last supper, the time when Jesus gathered to share a final meal with his disciples before his crucifixion. Throughout the week there is a tension brewing. Between sorrow, sacrifice, and faith. You see, we often focus on Christ’s resurrection. But before we can get to the resurrection, we must encounter sorrow, betrayal, suffering, and death. The grief that ensued leading to the cross is insurmountable.

Most often the hard parts of the Bible are glossed over. Thus, we tend to do the same thing with our suffering Savior. But for grievers, it is imperative to take time with these scriptures and stories surrounding the life, death, and burial of Jesus. It is necessary for us to just sit with what was happening. Who was there, who was grieving, what did they say, how did they engage with Jesus, and most importantly what did Jesus say and what did he do?

So how can we engage with Maundy Thursday to help us have peace with the grief of the unknowns? In thinking about Maundy Thursday and the last supper, think about what was brought to the table. Think about the disciples, think about Judas, think about Mary, the mother of Jesus, and think about Jesus himself. Each was experiencing their grief of the events that were unfolding before them. Each brought some semblance of thankfulness, then sorrow of what was to come, rage of the betrayal that was brewing before their eyes as Judas eats with them, and dips his bread in the same cup as Jesus. Did Judas bring any guilt or regret or even grief? Possibly. Jesus, though he was wrestling with his emotions, still brought grace and hope in what was to come.

So what does that mean for us? It means, just like at the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, we can bring all that we are holding and carrying to the table and lay it bare before our Savior Jesus. Who bore all for us in order to help us in our pain, loss, grief, suffering, and pain. The author of Hebrews wrote, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15 NIV). What do you need to bring to the table? As you sit with that question, take a look at these 4 ways to help you find peace in the grief of the unknowns.

Here are 4 Ways to Find Peace in the Grief of the Unknowns

1. Acceptance and Surrender

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

Embrace life’s uncertainties, acknowledging that not everything can be controlled. Surrender the need for immediate answers to find inner peace.

2. Mindfulness and Presence:

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes” (Psalm 37:7 NIV).

Stay grounded in the present moment, practicing mindfulness techniques like deep breathing or meditation to find tranquility amidst uncertainty.

3. Seeking Support and Connection

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2 NIV).

Don’t face grief alone—reach out to trusted friends, family, or support groups. Sharing your feelings openly can provide comfort and companionship through the darkness.

4. Faith and Hope

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV).

Hold onto faith and hope, trusting in the goodness of life’s journey. Just as night gives way to dawn, moments of uncertainty can yield to clarity and understanding, guiding you forward with peace and resilience.

As we reflect on Maundy Thursday and its significance in the life of the grieving Christian, let us embrace the complexities of our own emotions with humility and grace. Let us acknowledge the reality of the unknowns, yet find peace in the enduring promise of the hope we have in Christ. And may we, like Jesus, extend compassion and forgiveness to those who journey alongside us, knowing that in our darkest moments, we are held in the embrace of a his great love that is unfailing.

Sitting with you,
Natasha

“Why are you still sad about that?”

It takes time and space to grieve well, but often our culture doesn’t afford us these things. Drawing from her own experience with grief, Natasha Smith invites us into a reflection on what it means to grieve and how to cling to hope even in our darkest moments. Instead of providing quick-fix solutions, this book creates space for us to take time to just sit and grieve, learn, and heal in healthy ways.

In Can You Just Sit with Me? Smith provides personal stories, biblical reflections, relevant research, practical tools, and prayers that point us to God, who always sits with us in our grief. Whether we are grieving a loss or supporting a friend who is grieving, this book reminds us that every loss is worthy of the space and grace to grieve.

Get your copy of the book here.