Today is usually called "Maundy Thursday" (or Holy Thursday) it is not a "celebration" that is typically noticed by the Protestant world. The term "Maundy" is from the Latin "Mandatum" which has to do with "washing the feet" (based on the Latin version of John 13:34). No one seems to know exactly when "Maundy Thursday" celebrations began in the context of Church history.
It is clear, that this "celebration" has something to do with what is usually called "The Last Supper" or "The Lord's Supper." Though these terms are not synonymous nor interchangeable they share a common origin.
When Jesus was preparing to share the last Passover feast with his disciples, arrangements were made to share the celebration in a large upper room in Jerusalem. All of the gospels give us some details of the event, but John includes an incident where Jesus takes off his outer garment, dons the servant's towel and washes the feet of his disciples...a chore usually left to the hired help..the servant. In so doing Jesus is fulfilling his own statement in Mark 10:45 that, "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Jesus concludes washing the disciples' feet with a "teachable" moment, by telling them:
[12] When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. [13] "You call me `Teacher' and `Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. [14] Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. [15] I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. [16] I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. [17] Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:12-17)
Immediately following this Judas is recognized as the betrayer. After Judas leaves, Jesus institutes what is commonly called "the Lord's Supper" (also referred to as: Eucharist, Communion, etc...).
Though some continue to practice foot-washing (I have done this practice on a few occasions and found it to be a deeply humbling and spiritual exercise though I don't believe that it is necessary for followers of Jesus today), nearly ALL Christians continue to observe the sacrament of Holy Communion (though practices and modes vary). Though Jesus knew (his disciples did not...even though he tried to tell them) this was the last time that they would all be together until after the resurrection.
I could say that these powerful moments should affect our approach to Communion when we partake...but that seems oversimplified. I might ask if this changes our perspective on the frailty of human life and the time we share together...though I don't think that is the point of these events (though I MUST confess I get an image of Forrest Gump and Bubba on the beach...Bubba's been mortally wounded, they exchange "heys" and Forrest narrates..."if I would know that was the last thing we would ever say to each other I would have though up something better to say.")
Instead I want to ask a question on the day we remember what Jesus did for us. What do your actions say about you? There was a LOT of action in the life of Jesus and his disciples that night!! I have a hard time taking it all in just reading the accounts, I cannot fathom being there. It must have all seemed like a blur...the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, the Passover, the near constant teaching of Jesus, the foot washing, the betrayer, the talk of the new covenant, the breaking of bread at the table and the institution of the remembrance of Jesus in the Lord's Supper, leaving to go worship and pray, the soldiers, the arrest, the trial, the cross...and then it was over...the silence was deafening.
What do your actions say about you? You don't think that people notice the little things but they do. John captures this in his "preface" to all these events when Jesus says, "Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love" (John 13:1b).
John says, before ANY of this happened two significant factors were already assumed: Jesus loved his disciples, and he was about to show them the "FULL EXTENT OF HIS LOVE." It is one thing to say that you love God. But too often we are hypocritical in our speech when our actions reveal the opposite. Are people witnessing you loving God by serving Him and serving others? The phrase "the full extent" is not contained within the drama of the Last Supper but extends to the cross itself, or as Paul puts it in Romans 5:8, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
As we reflect on "Maundy Thursday" and the importance of gathering for Communion to celebrate what God has done, is doing, and will continue to do through the presence of Christ...we OUGHT to be reminded that actions speak louder than words...STOP GOING TO CHURCH...START BEING THE CHURCH so that others might, "see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." People will fail each other every time (at some time)...but God has demonstrated that he is BIGGER than the sum of His parts (the body of Christ). Isn't it time we let others see :the full extent of God's love through us?
I believe...help my unbelief
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