Happy Maundy Thursday!

Sound funny to you? It sounds almost like we are saying “Happy Monday Thursday.” Ever wondered what “Maundy” means? The word “Maundy” comes from the same root as “mandate”. The reason it is called, “Maundy Thursday” is because it was on the Thursday of Holy Week when Jesus gave his new mandate, or, new commandment:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35 ESV)

Jesus gave this commandment in the context of the last supper where he had washed the disciples feet. It is amazing that Jesus Christ, the Holy One become a man, the rightful King of all and, the one to whom we all owe perfect worship, would lower himself to act like an abased servant and wipe the muck and filth from the feet and toes of his disciples. Furthermore, we know that his love led him even to do more than wash feet. On the next day, Good Friday, he bore the sins, the countless, horrific sins, of his people, on the cross. He did this in amazing humility and love. He did it to bear the just wrath of God for your sins and mine. He did it to forever wash us from the muck and filth of our sin. There is no greater love than this.

So, today, on Maunday Thursday, let’s remember the amazing love of the Savior and find ourselves profoundly grateful, rejuvenated and freshly eager to obey his new commandment  - his mandate – to love like he does.

Happy Maundy Thursday!



Paul