Maundy Thursday

Last night we read and discussed a passage of scripture found in John 13 (a portion of this passage will be shared at the conclusion of this post). We entered into a discussion concerning the "new commandment" that Christ shared with His disciples as they celebrated the "Last Supper" with each other. The Bible is full of  examples of God revealing His love to His creation. Christ is preparing to finish His earthly assignment but He chooses to use these final moments to emphasize the need to "love one another." Isn't that core value of Christ needed to be lived out (practiced) in our modern day and time? We must rise to the occasion and accept this challenge to follow in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He set the example and now we are to set the example to the following generations. 

I read some words this morning that caught my attention. I would like to share a few of them with you. On this day, Christians around the world prepare for Easter by recalling the Last Supper between Jesus and his disciples. Traditionally this day is referred to as Maundy Thursday, which at first glance may appear to be a misspelling! However, this seemingly odd phrase actually gives us a window into the very heart of Easter and the lives we live as Christian disciples.

Maundy is an English word derived from the Latin word for commandment. As such, this is the day we as Christians remember the new commandment that Jesus gave to his apostles: “as I have loved you, so you must love one another.” In this single sentence, Jesus gives his followers a model of love and the expected way for them to love one another and the world around them.

In many ways, Holy Week is the explanation of Jesus’ phrase “as I have loved you.” When we ask how Jesus loves us, we need not look any further than the events of this week. On the cross of Christ we see the love of God on full display! When we look to the cross we see the Son of God who offers himself for the life of the world (Jn. 6:51). We see a picture of humility, where the Son of God “made himself nothing” and was “obedient to death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:7-8). Yet we also see the Son of God exulted to the highest place, triumphant over sin and death, ruling and reigning on high and beckoning us to join him in this radical and beautiful journey of love.

John 13:33-35,  Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come,’ so now I say to you. 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (NKJV) (Emphasis added)

Will we choose to follow the commands of Christ or will we chose to ignore the commands of Christ?