What Does Maundy Thursday Mean to Us

Thirteen men reclined around the table to eat the evening meal. It was on a Thursday night,  just before the Passover Festival. The mood was somber. The devil had prompted one man, Judas, to betray his leader, Jesus. Jesus knew this had occurred. Jesus also knew he was soon to return to the Father, and that his Father had placed everything under his power. He knew that in a few days he would demonstrate to the world, through this power, the greatest of his miracles, and lives would be changed forever, even until the time of his return.

Jesus got up in the middle of the meal, wrapped a towel around his waist, and began washing his disciple’s feet, the feet of every single one of them, even those of Judas, the betrayer. After he had finished he gave them the following mandate. He said, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you...Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them”

Today is Maundy Thursday. The word maundy comes from the command (mandate) given and demonstrated by Jesus that night to love one another. This great act of love for all of his disciple was, in fact, the prelude to what Jesus was about to do the next day on the cross. There was no greater demonstration of love than that of the One who gave his life so that all might live, live forever.

Today may we remember, that we as followers of Christ, are to love one another. Our faith in the One who loved us so much that he gave his life for us mandates that we must love everyone, even those who might betray us. This is the command that Jesus gave to all of us. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength. And we are to love others as ourselves as well. Jesus said, “If you do these things you will be blessed.”

Today, Maundy Thursday, prepare your heart for the greatest day known to man, Easter Sunday, the day that our Savior overcame death and the grave. Prepare your heart by showing your love, the love of Christ, to others.