Events of Holy Week – Maundy Thursday

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

Most everyone are aware of Holy Week, but Maundy Thursday ?  Many people – even practicing Christians – wonder ‘ What is Maundy Thursday ? ’

Maundy comes from mandatum – a mandate or commandment.  This night of the Last Supper Jesus was to give his disciples a new commandment.

Churches often have a Maundy Thursday service.  It occurs on the day before Good Friday.  I admit until the last maybe 15 years it wasn’t that familiar to me, and I’ve been attending Holy week services since I was a child.  As a young girl at church they didn’t have Maundy Thursday services, although I was taught all about the Last Supper.

The meeting that took place in an upper room where Jesus met with his disciples has been the subject of artists for centuries, and there is much commentary about just when it took place.  For those of you not familiar with the story of this last evening Jesus has with his disciples, it holds a lot of meaning.  It was the Passover meal they were having.  Jesus always observed the Jewish holidays – after all, he was a Jew.

Prior to eating, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.  This was a menial job usually done by the very lowest servant in the household.  Washing someone’s feet is an act of humility when done as Christ says.  Jesus says, If I then, your Teacher and Lord, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done.  Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. (John 13-16 RSV)

The ceremony of Jesus’ foot washing of the disciples gives us a glimpse into the character of Jesus.  If we apply his lessons in our lives given in such a unique way, we may better understand why some people find happiness and others struggle so.  This is an important example for us in today’s world.

Jesus offered the unleavened bread, blessed and broke it and gave it to the disciples……Take, eat; this is my body. (Matt 26:26 RSV)  Then he took the cup and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them saying, ……Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matt 26:27-28 RSV)

Then he sent Judas Iscariot out saying …..What you are going to do, do quickly. (John 13:27 RSV) Jesus was aware that Judas was to betray him that night for 30 pieces of silver.

He spoke to the eleven disciples remaining saying — A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35 RSV)

Then they left the upper room and went to the Mount of Olives where Jesus was to pray.  He knew that very soon he would be betrayed by Judas with a kiss – a sign to the chief priests this was the Master.

As Jesus was seized by those who meant him harm, one of the men with Jesus took out his sword and struck one of the slaves of a high priest, cutting off his ear.  Then
Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.  Do you not think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?  But how then should the scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?  (Matt 26:52-54 RSV)

He was taken by them to appear before the high priest, with the scribes and elders also there.  He was tried and sentenced to death.

I hope you have a better understanding of why churches have services on  Maundy Thursday  and its meaning.

Bobbi Miller

P.S.  There are several other blogs I’ve written on Holy week – some of them just for fun!  Take a peek!