As Holy Week unfolds, Maundy Thursday stops me in my tracks. It’s a day that feels heavy with meaning, pulling us into the quiet of Jesus’ final hours with his disciples. I’ve always found this night to be a sacred invitation—to pause, to reflect, and to let the weight of Christ’s love sink deep into our hearts.
The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning “commandment,” pointing us to Jesus’ words in John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you love for one another” (NKJV). This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a call to live differently, to love with the same humility and sacrifice Jesus showed.
Through the washing of feet, the Last Supper, and even the sting of betrayal, Maundy Thursday teaches us what it means to follow Him. Let’s walk through this holy night together, leaning on Scripture and asking how we can carry this love into our lives.
The Heart of Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday lands like a hush in the middle of Holy Week. It’s the night before the cross, when Jesus gathered his disciples for the Passover meal, knowing what lay ahead. The Gospels—John 13-17, Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, and Luke 22:7-39—paint a picture of a meal filled with love, urgency, and purpose. Jesus wasn’t just sharing food; He was sharing Himself, preparing His friends for the sacrifice to come. Every time I read these passages, I’m struck by how intentional He was, even with the weight of the world on His shoulders.
That word mandatum keeps echoing in my mind. Jesus didn’t just say “love one another”; He said to love “as I have loved you.” That’s a high calling, isn’t it? It’s not about warm feelings but about action—love that serves, forgives, and endures. As we sit with Maundy Thursday, let’s ask ourselves: What does it look like to love like Jesus in our everyday moments? How can we make His commandment the heartbeat of our lives?
Washing Feet: Humility in Action
One moment from this night always touches me deeply: Jesus washing His disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17). In those days, foot-washing was a gritty job left to servants. Roads were dusty, so feet were filthy, and no one with status would dream of touching them. Yet here’s Jesus, the Son of God, kneeling with a towel and a basin.
John 13:4-5 describes it so simply: “...rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded” (NKJV). He even washed Judas’ feet, knowing betrayal was coming.
Peter’s reaction in John 13:6-8 feels so human—shocked, resistant, unable to grasp why his Lord would stoop so low. But Jesus was clear: “If I do not was you, you have no part with Me” (John 13:8 NKJV). This wasn’t just about clean feet; it was about cleansing hearts, showing us that true leadership is servanthood.
Christ said, “...that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15 NKJV). What does that look like for us today? Maybe it’s helping a neighbor, listening to someone who’s hurting, or standing up for someone overlooked. Maundy Thursday nudges us to set aside pride and ask: Who needs my hands to serve them today?
The Last Supper: A Table of Grace
Then there’s the Last Supper, the moment that changed everything. Jesus took the Passover bread and wine and gave them new meaning. Luke 22:19-20 captures it: “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you” (NKJV). These weren’t just symbols; they were a promise—a new covenant sealed by His sacrifice.
Each time I take communion, I feel the weight of this moment. It’s not just a ritual; it’s an encounter with Jesus, who gave everything for us. Paul reflects on this in 1 Corinthians 11:23-25, urging us to remember and proclaim Christ’s death until He returns. But the table is also about community. It binds us together, reminding us we’re not alone in this faith journey.
As we approach Maundy Thursday, let’s come to the table with open hearts, ready to receive His grace and share it with others. What might it look like to extend that grace to someone in your life this week?
Facing Betrayal with Love
Even in this sacred moment, betrayal was at the table. John 13:21-30 tells us Jesus knew what was coming: “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me” (John 13:21 NKJV). The disciples were stunned, but Jesus didn’t lash out. He dipped bread and handed it to Judas, offering love to the one who would turn against Him (John 13:26). How did He do it? How do we love those who hurt us?
This part of the story reminds me that following Jesus doesn’t mean life will be free of pain. Peter, too, would falter, denying Jesus hours later (Luke 22:54-62). Yet Jesus’ love never wavered. He offered forgiveness, restoration, and a new beginning. Maundy Thursday teaches us that love isn’t just for the easy moments—it’s for the messy, broken ones too. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? Maybe this holy night is a chance to take that step, trusting God to guide you.
Living Jesus’ Commandment
So, what do we do with Maundy Thursday? It’s not just a story to read; it’s a call to live. Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35 NKJV). That’s our witness—love that serves, sacrifices, and perseveres. How can we show this love in our lives? We can show Jesus’ love in many ways: writing a note to encourage a friend, volunteering at a shelter, or simply listening to someone who feels unseen. These acts ripple outward, showing the world who Jesus is.
In our churches, we might wash feet or share communion, but the call doesn’t end there. It’s about carrying this love into Monday mornings, into tough conversations, into places where grace feels hard. As I reflect on this, I’m challenged to ask: Where is God calling me to love more boldly? Where is He calling you?
A Prayer for Maundy Thursday
Let’s close with a prayer, lifting our hearts to Jesus, the One who showed us what love looks like:
Lord Jesus, thank You for Maundy Thursday—for kneeling to wash feet, for breaking bread, for loving us even when we fail You. Help us live Your new commandment, loving others as You love us. Show us where to serve, how to forgive, and how to draw others to Your heart. May our lives shine with Your grace. Amen.
How will you show Jesus' love today? Leave a comment below!
As we move toward Good Friday and Easter, let’s hold tight to Maundy Thursday’s call. Let’s love like Jesus, serve like Jesus, and live like Jesus. May this holy night stir your heart and guide your steps.
God bless,
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