Most of us know the purpose of celebrating Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but Maundy Thursday is just as crucial in our journey with Jesus. Maundy Thursday is a reflection of the last day of Jesus' life, which includes Him washing the disciples' feet, the Last Supper, His betrayal, His giving the disciples a new commandment, surrendering to the will of His Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, and many more. Today, we will focus on the new commandment that Jesus gives.
The word Maundy is from the Latin word for “command,” and on the last day of Jesus' life before he was crucified, we hear and see Jesus giving this command to His disciples and, by extension, all followers of Jesus Christ. In John 13:34, Jesus says, "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.”
Now, at first glance, you may just read right over this and not give it much thought, but imagine what had just happened. Jesus had just shown the ultimate act of service by washing the disciples' feet. As they were sharing their last meal, Judas, whom Jesus had known for most of His ministry, went to betray him, which would lead to his death. Jesus could have become angry, sad, silent, and defeated in this moment, but instead He commands “that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” What an incredible example for us that Jesus chose to teach about love in this moment.
So on this Maundy Thursday, reflect on this command that Jesus gives you to love one another. Loving someone cannot be conditional or for self-gain, but has to be sacrificial and unconditional. The most loving thing we can do for someone is to share the good news with them so they can live with hope that everything in this life doesn’t depend on them but was put on the shoulders of Jesus Christ when He hung on the cross for all of us.
Scripture to pray and meditate on:
John 13:34 - "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.”
1 John 4:7-8 - “Beloved, let us love one another. For love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God because God is love."
My prayer for you is that you live in the fullness of the love that Jesus Christ has for you and you get the opportunity to share with someone the same hope and love that you have.