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Hi everyone! And happy Maundy Thursday to you all!

Many of you, especially those who’ve spent some time in liturgical churches or worshipping in congregations that lean heavily into the church calendar will know exactly what I mean. But I always wonder if there are some who hear that express and wonder what on earth I’m talking about. Admittedly, Maundy Thursday sounds funny if you’re not used to it. It sounds a bit like “Monday Thursday,” which is just downright confusing.

So, just to make sure no one is too confused … Maundy Thursday is the day we remember Jesus’ last supper with the disciples, leading up to His arrest, trial, and crucifixion.

We read about the supper in Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, and John 13-17 (especially chapter 13). This was a Passover supper—part of the annual celebration remembering Israel’s deliverance from Egypt as told in the book of Exodus. It was an event filled with meaningful symbolism for the Jewish people. Jesus re-focused some of those symbols on His own impending death and resurrection, creating what we continue to celebrate as the Lord’s Supper. We’ll learn more about all this in our Christ-in-the-Passover event next week, and also in the message next Sunday morning.

Along with symbols of sacrifice, deliverance, and new life, Jesus’ meal with the disciples brought some other memorable elements. It was here that Jesus spoke most clearly about one of the disciples betraying Him - just before Judas left the table to do exactly that. Jesus predicted Peter’s 3-fold denial to come later that evening. And perhaps most striking of all, Jesus shocked everyone at the meal by getting up from the table, removing his robes, wrapping himself with a towel, and washing the feet of all the disciples.

To make sure no one missed the point, Jesus added instruction to His example. He told the disciples: “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:14-15). Shortly after, Jesus elaborated with a more general word of instruction: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35).

Tomorrow we will commemorate Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, giving His life for us out of an amazing and boundless heart of love for us. Here at the last supper, we discover that this heart attitude was always present—at dinner as well as at Calvary. Jesus’ love was expressed all the time, in the ordinary events of life as well as the pivotal moment of history. That makes His instruction all the more relevant to us. Christians are rarely placed in positions where we literally need to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters, but we regularly have opportunity to serve in ordinary ways—washing each other’s feet, helping one another with tasks, serving and caring and forgiving and practically putting the needs of our brothers and sisters ahead of our own preferences and appearance.

Well, that could turn into a whole sermon! But coming back to the language of “Maundy Thursday” … for centuries the church read the Bible and conducted its worship in Latin. The Latin word for “commandment” is mandatum. When Jesus said He was giving a “new commandment,” in Latin this was a new mandatum, or “mandate.” So people would speak about Mandatum Thursday, or “the Thursday when Jesus gave His new commandment.” In time for easier pronunciation, this was shortened to Maundy Thursday. And there you go! That’s where we get the expression.

I’ve never been much of a Latin speaker, so I don’t really care whether we use the term Maundy Thursday or not. I’m just as happy calling today “Last Supper Thursday.”  J   Whatever we call it, it’s important to reflect on all that happened on that last night Jesus spent with His disciples, and all the lessons we take away from the story and from our Lord’s words.

May you have a blessed, delightful, and meaningful “Last Supper Thursday,” and may your heart be filled with the truths of Good Friday and Easter as we make our way through this week!

Richest blessings!

Pastor Ken