Holy Week - Maundy Thursday

Perhaps the most well-known day of Holy Week next to Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, Maundy Thursday saw:

1. The institution of the Lord’s Supper

2. Jesus washing the disciples’ feet

3. Jesus giving his disciples a new commandment

Going to talk about all 3 today cause I’m indecisive and they’re all too good to pass up. 

Let’s dive in. 

1. The institution of the Lord’s Supper

²² And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” ²³ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. ²⁴ And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. ²⁵ Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Mark 14:22-25

Can you imagine what this scene was like? In a few hours, Jesus is going to be betrayed, beaten, and hung on the cross. We have the good fortune of understanding what Communion stands for. The disciples likely didn’t (at the time). 

So here’s Jesus, with full knowledge that the cross is waiting for Him, giving the bread and the cup to his disciples, knowing that they don’t fully understand what they’re being given. How much internal strife He must have been going through. To have to face the cross and be fully alone. 

The sad part is that it’s just as easy for us to forget what Communion stands for today. To take Communion casually. As if it’s some tradition that church-going folk do. There were absolutely times in my life that I took Communion casually, without a second thought. 

But the beauty of Communion is that it reminds us of the extent to which Jesus went through during His life on earth. 30 years spent preparing for ministry, 3 years teaching and preaching, all leading up to this day. 33 short years. 33 years that led to an eternity of salvation for all people. 

If nothing else, this Holy Week, while there’s extra emphasis on Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, let’s get back to an appreciation and care when it comes to Communion. It’s not just another tradition. Jesus says, “Do this in remembrance of me.” 

Remember the cost of salvation. 

Remember the love that Christ displayed on the cross for you and me. 

Remember Jesus. 

Not a glancing thought or feeling, but sit in that remembrance. Meditate in that place of remembrance. What could be more important than that? 

2. Jesus washes the disciples’ feet

I love this story. If ever there was a moment when Jesus showed His disciples that He loved them rather than told them, this would be it. The ultimate act of humility. The one who created human feet stooped down in front of sinners and washed theirs. 

What an incredible act of love! 

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 

John 13:1

“He loved them to the end.” Even in the face of the cross, Jesus showed incredible love to His disciples. Even Judas! Think about that for a second. Jesus talks about the one who will betray Him after He washes their feet. 

He could have easily sent Judas off and then started to wash their feet, but to the end, Christ shows a love for His people. He knew that Judas was moments away from betraying Him, yet Jesus took the time to wash his feet. 

Talk about an example to follow. How many times are we afraid to be taken advantage of? How many times have we hesitated to help someone because we were afraid of being asked again? How many times have we withheld the love that we are called to show because of our fear of man? 

If we are to truly be like Jesus, we have to live like Jesus did. 

And Jesus lived in absolute humility and love for His people. 

3. Jesus gives a new commandment

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. ³⁵ By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34-35

If there’s ever been a verse that has stuck with me from my days in high school ministry till now, it would be these 2. 

Why? 

Because it’s the solution to most of the church’s problems today. Think about what Jesus is saying here. It’s not just a simple “love one another.” The key phrase to look out for is:

Just as

“Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” Well then, the question becomes, how did Jesus love us? 

He who created the heavens and the earth came down as a baby, in full obedience to the Father, lived His life in perfect harmony with the Father’s will, only to be hated, beaten, and eventually killed by the very people He was sent to save. 

That’s how. 

And we’re called to do the same. 

It’s funny how we’re always talking about “what can we do to grow the church? How can we bring people in? What’s the best way to evangelize and tell others about Jesus?” When Jesus gives us the answer. 

³⁵ By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:35

If we loved each other the way Jesus loved us, the world would know. There would be a radical change in how we did church. Jesus Himself guarantees it! All people will know that we are His disciples by the way we love one another. 

Think about that for a second. 

It’s not a great kids program, it’s not good worship, it’s not good preaching. Are those things good and helpful for a church? Absolutely! But if we want the church to grow, we have to start with loving one another. 

We’ll probably never make it to Jesus’s level. But at least we can try. 

God Bless my friends. 

Love y’all. 

-Caleb