Holy Thursday – Maundy Thursday
Maundy comes from the Latin word “mandatum”, meaning mandated or commandment. How appropriate for our Lord’s mandate tonight: “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 was up to His own mandate today. His time had come. His disciples were sent to prepare a Passover Meal for them. Little did the disciples know what that Passover Meal would lead to. I can only imagine, after their Passover Meal together, the shock that Jesus’ disciples had when they saw Jesus take up the basin and towel, kneel in front of them and one by one, washed their feet, calluses and all. He was their Master, not their slave.
In those days, 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 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.
At our Holy Thursday service tonight, there will be foot washing of 12 pre-selected individuals and then we will proclaim our own commitment of service to one another. We will remember Christ’s love for us as we celebrate His Last Supper, where Jesus invoked the very first Holy Communion. After the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples made a short journey to the Garden of Gethsemane where His agony would begin. Tonight, we will process to our chapel to pray.
I knew Holy Thursday would take on special meaning to me as I recall my trip in June to Israel when I visited the Garden of Gethsemane. There were mixed feelings by our travel pilgrims, inspired by the beauty of the garden and trees that dated back to Jesus’ times, but in the Sanctuary of Gethsemane was the site of the massive rock where Jesus had prayed. It was incredibly humbling to kneel and place my hand on it and realize this was where Christ prayed in agony and His sweat became great drops of blood: “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; NEVERTHELESS, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:37. To say our group was overcome with emotion, puts it mildly because many of us had arrived at that word, NEVERTHELESS, in some of our own experiences. To be willing to pray, “Lord let this situation, circumstance, pain, fear, agony – pass from me, NEVERTHELESS, not my will but Yours be done.” The photos here are of two of our men, embracing each other as they could not contain the emotion of knowing what Christ had done for them. The other photos are of the garden and the rock.
Jesus watched the soldiers as they marched toward him with torches in hand. He could have called on 10,000 angels for back-up or He could flee at any time, but He was resolved — His time had come. He waited for them to arrest Him. He would suffer illegal trials, torture, and death because of His love for you and me. He considers our eternal life with Him is worth His death. Jesus prepared His disciples to carry on. I think that’s His message to you and me, too. Today, we are the ones standing in front of people from all cultures and backgrounds, who are all suffering from their own 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 us today. Oh Lord, please make us your servants today — to follow, serve and love You and others, as You served and loved.