The Church Year: Maundy Thursday
The church year has several staple days and seasons that we observe; some of which are understood and practiced across all culture and denominational persuasions. The activities that take place on Maundy Thursday are observed throughout the year for various reasons, while the meaning may not be fully understood.
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” John 13:34
Maundy Thursday Defined
Maundy is shortened from the Latin word, mandatum, meaning “command” it refers to Christ’s new commandment to the disciples. On the Thursday of Christ’s final week before being crucified and resurrected, after they had shared the Last Supper, Jesus was washing their feet when he instructed them to love one another as he had loved them in John 13:34.
Four Significant Occurrences on Maundy Thursday
First, as described in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 22, Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper which is considered to Christians as the institution of the Lord’s Supper, also known as communion or eucharist. At the Last Supper, Jesus took bread, gave thanks to God for it and broke it into pieces distributing it amongst the disciples saying “this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”(v. 19) Next he also took a cup of wine and said “ this cup is the new covenant between God and his people — an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.”(v. 20)
It is commonly known that Jesus was Jewish; the Last Supper derived from this heritage and was in observance of a Jewish holiday. This holiday known as Passover, feast of unleavened bread, was a festival held to commemorate the Jews’ exodus from Egypt.
Secondly, Maundy Thursday is associated with foot-washing. John 13, describes how Jesus knew that his time on earth was drawing nigh but he took the time to demonstrate to his disciples, who he loved dearly, the ultimate act of servant leadership. In verses 12–17 Jesus says, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.”
Third, Jesus leaves the upper room and goes to the Mount of Olives, in the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He takes the disciples with him, instructing them to pray as well but they fell asleep. Jesus prays “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to done, not mine.” Scripture says that an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him, yet he prayed more fervently, and in such agony of spirit, his sweat fell to the ground like drops of blood. (John 13:39–46)
Lastly, earlier in the evening after washing the disciples’ feet Jesus, he was deeply troubled as he had not only predicted that Judas Iscariot would betray him, but also that Peter would deny him the following day. (John 13:18–38, Luke 22:34) After praying in the garden that same night, Judas leads the captains of the Temple guard there and greets him with a kiss on the cheek, the sign of his betrayal.
Maundy Thursday — Today
We can commemorate Maundy Thursday by holding a special service in which we partake of the Lord’s Supper together and then have a foot-washing ceremony. Starting with the Pastor washing the feet of 12 ministers, deacons and/or leaders of the church. Depending on the size of the church, it could be more or less but if more than 12, the Pastor would have to strategically select them and provide explanation as to why they were chosen, so the others do not feel slighted. Otherwise, he will have to serve more than 12 (weigh pros and cons of that). Next those leaders would each wash the feet of 12 members of the church (specifically those that serve in the ministry they oversee etc.); this would continue down the line until everyone has served and been served. The Pastor’s feet can be washed by their spouse or another Pastor that may be in attendance. This service would need to be very intentional and well thought out and planned in order to for it to go smoothly and fulfill the intended purpose.
