Holy Maundy Thursday
Remember when, on Thursdays, we often tagged our photos on social media #TBT (Throwback Thursday) – meaning a blast from the past. This is my little family in 1980 at our church in Shawnee, OK, It was a big deal — big enough to dress up for the big Easter celebration. Had to get those new Easter outfits and an Easter bonnet. I had enough hair back then, that unmistakably served as all the hat I needed.
This second photo was from the family center where I volunteer two days a week. The man brought the plate over to us and asked if this was Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper” painting. We told him it wasn’t. He asked about the price, hoping it was a tag that meant 50% off. I said it wasn’t and as he turned to walk away, my co-worker said, “I want to buy it for you.” She quickly retrieved her wallet and paid the price. The man humbly thanked her.
My friend paid the price for that man. Isn’t that what Jesus did for you and me? He could have turned away or even called 10,000 angels to save Him. But He didn’t. He stepped up and paid the ultimate price for our salvation and spending eternity with Him.
Today is the ultimate #TBT. It is Maundy Thursday aka Holy Thursday. Maundy comes from the Latin word “mandatum”, meaning mandated or commandment. How appropriate for our Lord’s mandate: “A new command (mandate) I give you: ‘Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another’” John 13:34.
Jesus’ time had come. His disciples were sent to prepare a Passover Meal for them. Little did they know the gravity of that Passover Meal. I can only imagine, after their meal, the shock they had when Jesus took up the basin and towel, knelt in front of them and one by one, washed their dirty feet, calluses and all. How could He? He was their Master, not their slave.
Back then, it was the servant’s role to wash the feet of their owner’s guests. Those feet were dry, dirty, calloused and cracked because they had walked for miles in their sandals. To wash someone’s feet was truly an act of servitude and humility.
When finished, Jesus explained, “I’m setting an example for you. You should do what I have done to you.” I wonder if the disciples finally understood. They had been hand-selected by Jesus from the crowds, so they were special. But Jesus didn’t call them so that they would enjoy an “elite” status. He called them to serve, to carry on His ministry of loving and caring for people.
Can we imagine those acts of servitude being the precursor for Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, the illegal trials, His torture and ultimate arrest and death on a cross? It was all because of His love for you and me. He considered our eternal life with Him was worth it all. Jesus prepared His disciples to carry on. It is His message to you and me, too.
Today, we are the ones standing in front of people who are suffering from brokenness and in need of a Savior. What an incredible flow of mercy, love, forgiveness, servitude, and sacrifice that flowed from Jesus then, and continues to flow to and through us today. Oh Lord, please make us your servants today — to follow, serve and love You and others, as You served and loved.