Maundy Thursday, April 9

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. John 13:3-5


I picked this day to “blog” because of the power and meaning of this day to all of us who believe in Jesus Christ. We come to the day, Maundy Thursday, when Jesus gathers with his disciples for the final time. John says that Jesus knew his fate, knew his betrayer, and yet his love for them kept him calm and in control. And then he did an astonishing thing—“he got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet…..”

How could Jesus perform this act which at the time was considered so degrading? M. Scott Peck felt it was one of the most signicant events of Jesus’ life. “Until that moment the whole point of things had been for someone to get on top, and once he had gotten on top to stay on top or else attempt to get farther up. But here this man already on top—who was rabbi, teacher, master—suddenly got down on the bottom and began to wash the feet of his followers. In that one act, Jesus symbolically overturned the whole social order. Hardly comprehending what was happening, even his own disciples were almost horrified by his behavior”.

Why do we call this day Maundy Thursday? Jesus asks of us three things:
Baptize others, share the bread and wine which represents body and blood, and literally wash one another’s feet. While this is not very feasible in our culture we can show the same caring by our love. Maundy is derived from the Latin mandatum, the first word of the phrase “Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos” which translates, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34). These words are chanted during the Mandatum ceremony of the washing of the feet held in many Christian churches. In washing his disciple’s feet, Jesus expressed without words his love to his disciples and to us. No more powerful way could have been chosen.


Dear God, Help us to be more like Jesus. May we see ways that our love can make a difference for others each and every day. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Elder Kay Ramsay