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Maundy Thursday
Maundy comes from a Latin word that means commandment. At the Last Supper, Jesus told His disciples: "A new commandment I
give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." (John 13:34)
Maundy Thursday is a solemn day. Christians around the world reflect upon Christ's last day on earth before His crucifixion.
He ate the Passover Seder with His disciples and introduced the ritual of communion.
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While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, "Take and
eat; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you,
for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, from now on
I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father."
Matthew 26:26-29
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After the meal, he spent time in a garden called Gethsemane:
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And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at
the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast,
and kneeled down, and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine,
be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly:
and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to
his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow.
Luke 22:39-46 |
His disciples woke, and then, Jesus was betrayed and arrested by Roman centurions:
Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me. And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came,
and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave
them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail,
master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and
took him.
Matthew 26:46-50 |
Jesus washed His disciples' feet during the Passover Seder, and today many churches will have services where parishioners wash each
other's feet to teach the concept that Christians are servants of the Lord Jesus Christ.
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