On this day around the world Christians remember
that tense, sensitive time Jesus spent with his disciples in the upper room and
the last supper he shared with them. Many refer to this day as “Maundy
Thursday.”
The word “Maundy” is derived from the Latin word
for “command.” The “Maundy” in Maundy Thursday refers to the command Jesus gave
to the disciples at the Last Supper, that they should love and serve one
another. Should we observe Maundy Thursday? The Bible neither commands nor
forbids it. It is a good thing to remember the Last Supper and Jesus’ sacrifice
on our behalf. It is a good thing to remember the Lord’s example of humility.
However, at the same time, we should avoid ritualistic observances of holidays
unless they are truly focused on God and our relationship with Him.
Two important events are the focus of Maundy Thursday.
First, Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples and
thereby instituted the Lord’s Supper, also called Communion (Luke 22:19-20).
Some Christian churches observe a special Communion service on Maundy Thursday
in memory of Jesus’ Last Supper with His disciples. Second, Jesus washed the disciples’
feet as an act of humility and service, thereby setting an example that we
should love and serve one another in humility (John 13:3-17). Some Christian
churches observe a foot-washing ceremony on Maundy Thursday to commemorate
Jesus’ washing the feet of the disciples.
Ponder This: What would have been going on in your mind had you
been one of the disciples at the last supper or in the garden of Gethsemane?
