Maundy Thursday

Today in the Christian calendar, is known as ‘Maundy Thursday’.

When I was young and heard people talk about ‘Maundy Thursday’ I could never understand why the day was called ‘Monday Thursday’! It is funny how when you just hear someone saying or singing words, we can often hear the words incorrectly – sometimes making the words we say or sing not make sense, and sometimes even make them amusing.

Anyway, enough about me and my hearing problems! ‘Maundy Thursday’, what is it, and why do we mark or celebrate it?

Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday, is the Thursday before Good Friday, and is the fifth day of Holy Week. The word ‘Maundy’ is derived from the Latin word for ‘command’, and refers to Jesus’ commandment to the disciples to “Love one another as I have loved you.”

Maundy Thursday is the day we remember the Last Supper. At the Last Supper Jesus breaks bread with the disciples and says

“This is my body,” and pours wine, saying, “This is my blood.” He then asks the disciples to “Do this in remembrance of me.”

Luke Chapter 22

The Last Supper isn’t the only thing we associate with Maundy Thursday – It is is also associated with foot-washing.

Then he said, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master,’ and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer. If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.

John 13:12-17 (The Message)

The final thing associated with today, Maundy Thursday, is betrayal! It’s the day Jesus predicts his death, and that his death will fulfil God’s plan. He also tells his disciples that Judas Iscariot was going to betray him.

Looking at his disciples, he announced, “I tell you the truth—one of you is about to betray me.”

“The one I give this piece of bread to after I’ve dipped it in the bowl, ”Jesus replied. Then he dipped the piece of bread into the bowl and handed it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And when Judas ate the piece of bread, Satan entered him.

John 13:21 and 26-27 (The Passion Translation)

Here’s one of my favourite Easter songs, At the Cross (Love Ran Red) by Chris Tomlin, enjoy and be blessed.