My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus,
Today is a special day, celebrated for centuries by Christians, and commonly referred to as ‘Maundy Thursday.’ On this day, believers reflect upon the commandment of Jesus, recorded in John 13:34-35–
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
This “ commandment,” which Jesus calls “ new,” was given to the Disciples by our Lord on the very night that He would later be betrayed, arrested, and taken off to stand trial for blasphemy and sedition. Its importance is made evident by at least three things.
First, as you know, it was illustrated by Jesus, even before He spoke it. John 13:1-11 records the drama. Jesus assumed both the role and the apparel of a common house slave, and washed the feet of each of the Disciples. Of particular note are the words of verses 3-4–
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.
Secondly, it was explained by Jesus. This is revealed in verses 12-17–
When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, 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 just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
Then, the commandment was repeated by Jesus, as we see later in this episode where the Lord continues to instruct the Disciples. John 15:12 records Christ’s words:
“ This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
What is intriguing about this commandment to love one another, and to do so in the same way that we have been loved by Jesus, is not only its majestic nature as a direct and holy order from our Savior, but its setting.
We might even say that, essentially, the Gospel, and the entire mission of the Church, are being handed off to the Disciples at this critical moment. Jesus is about to bring the Father’s eternal plan of salvation to its magnificent consummation by means of His death, burial, bodily resurrection, and ascension. He will soon leave them. And as He departs, He will send the Holy Spirit to them (as He promises in John 14-15).
But, in this most strategic of moments, as He entrusts them with the Truth, He gives them a simple commandment, a “ new” one, one defined by what He has done in humbling Himself before them, and serving them as one who has no rights or privileges at all. And then, of all things, Jesus declares that it is this, their humility-empowered love for each other manifested in service, that will now be the very means by which “ all people will know that you are my disciples” (v. 35).
Dear Brothers and Sisters, what sets us apart from the world today, what identifies us as having been redeemed, what displays the awesome power of the Gospel, and demonstrates the unrivaled energy of the Holy Spirit within us, is simply this: that we “ love one another”! And that we do so in the very way so wonderfully exemplified by our Savior!
On this Maundy Thursday, like the first disciples, we are in ‘crisis mode.’ Our lives, just about every part of them, have been interrupted and disrupted in ways we could not have imagined. What would soon happen to the world into which the Disciples were sent, just after Jesus spoke these words, parallels our own world now. What will yet happen to us remains outside the scope of our knowledge or control.
Yet, all things are in the hands of our Sovereign God! The sacred command of our Lord remains as we encounter it afresh today, and we must obey it in the power of His Indwelling Spirit! For it is “ by this” that the world knows who our Lord is!
It is true that there are many things that might identify us as believers. But today, we must think of this way: our love for each other! This is what we need! This is what pleases our Lord and glorifies His Name! This is what delights the heart of our Father! And this is what propels the Truth forward into a world filled with darkness and death!
A Prayer for Maundy Thursday
Dear Father in Heaven, I praise you that I am one who has a place among Your people, the Bride of Christ my Lord. I thank you for Your eternal love that secured my salvation though the blood and righteousness of Your Son. I give You glory that my sins have been forgiven, that I have been filled with Your Spirit, and made to taste the sweetness of Your ever-increasing grace!
Now, O Lord, fill my heart with love for those that You have loved first. Crush my pride so that I may serve those for whom Your died. Let me find Your unquenchable joy in giving myself away for those whom You have made a part of Your Church. Grant me endurance, patience, mercy, a forgiving heart, tenderness, and all of the heaven-born graces that I need in order to obey Your commandment.
And as I love my dear brothers and sisters, let Your Name alone be glorified! By this, show the world in which I now live that You are a mighty and gracious King, the Author and Finisher of our salvation! Amen!
I love you all more than I can ever express! May our gracious Father richly bless you and keep you in His tender care,
Mike