Maundy Thursday
Scripture Reading: John 13:1-20,31-35
Today is traditionally referred to as “Maundy Thursday.” That comes from the Latin Vulgate version of 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.” The first words of that verse in Latin are, Mandatum novum do vobis, or I give you a new commandment.
Jesus beautifully pictures this in the washing of the disciples’ feet. There are layers of truth involved in this act. In one sense Jesus is portraying His work of redemption. He is giving an allegorical dramatization, so to speak. He gets up, lays aside his robe, puts on a servant's towel, stoops down, washes the feet of His disciples, and then resumes His former position.
This portrays what He was doing in the incarnation. He stood up from His heavenly seat, laid aside His divine glory, humbled himself in taking on human form in the incarnation, stooped to the humiliation of death by the instrument of the cross, through that cleanses his disciples from sin, then rises from death, and ascends to His heavenly throne.
This other aspect is what the words of Maundy Thursday point us to though. Jesus tells his disciples to love each other the way He loved them. How did He love them? Through humble sacrificial giving of Himself for their sakes.
This is the “New Commandment.” It is left up to us to work that out on a day-by-day basis, but we have the framework of what it looks like. What it looks like is washing feet.
We might try and excuse ourselves by saying we have too much going on and too many of our problems to worry about other peoples’ issues. But before you do, look at Jesus who was going to be crucified in a few hours for the sins of the world, and then try and say that.
We also might be tempted to say that we would serve in love, but the person needing our service hurt us too badly to get that from us. But before you say that, look at Jesus bent over at the feet of Peter, who would deny him and Judas who would betray him, and the others who would be nowhere to be found in His hour of need, and then say that.
All of our excuses for not loving this way fade like fog before the morning sun when we look at them in the light of the Lord Jesus, bent over, towel around his waist, washing the feet of the disciples.
Good word! Thank you!