Maundy

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We recently celebrated Holy Week. During that week I was curious and wanted to know what Jesus was doing each day. During my study of this week, I came upon Maundy Thursday. I had always heard the word “Maundy”, but I never knew the exact meaning of the word. When I looked it up, the word refers to Jesus washing of the feet of His disciples. The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word “mandatum”, which means command.

The Thursday of Holy Week was an important day for Jesus. It was not only the Passover supper, but it was also an important time of teaching His disciples. John 13:14-15 says, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” Jesus knew that He would eventually leave His disciples to tend to His sheep. He knew that it would be the work of the disciples and the Holy Spirit that would spread Christianity throughout the world. So, on Maundy Thursday, he gives this command: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35.

When you read this command, how are we doing with that? When we look at what is going on in the world around us, it is kind of hard to see the love, isn’t it? Are we following the command that Jesus left for us? 1 John 4:20-21 says “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. Are we living this way? If there is hatred in our hearts for anyone, then we cannot love God. Sometimes it seems like we are putting our politics ahead of serving and loving others. What Jesus said on Maundy Thursday was not just a suggestion, it was a “mandatum”, a command to love one another. If we aren’t following His command, then we are totally missing the point of His coming to earth. He came to seek and to save the lost – to bring them to the Lord. If they don’t see the love coming from Christians, then they won’t see the love offered by Christ. Whose feet will you wash today?