Maundy Thursday - The Ultimate Example

Maundy Thursday - The Ultimate Example

Introduction:

Let’s take a moment before we begin with tonight’s message and look at why it is called Maundy Thursday.

Maundy Thursday, refers to the Thursday before Good Friday when the Crucifixion took place. It commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the disciples.

The term "Maundy" comes from the Latin word "mandatum," meaning "commandment," which reflects Jesus' words to his disciples during the Last Supper, as recorded in John 13:34:

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

This day is significant for Christians for several reasons:

On this day over 2000 years ago the following took place.

Jesus taught humility by washing the disciples feet.

The Last Supper (Communion)

The New Commandment

We are going to be look at each of these three events tonight, beginning wiht the

Jn 13:1–20 (NKJV)

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him,

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God,

rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.

After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”

Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”

Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”

Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.”

For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”

So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?

You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, 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 should do as I have done to you.

Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.

If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

“I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’

Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He.

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”

John 13:14–15 KJV 1900

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Imagine Jesus, fully aware that one of his closest friends is about to betray Him, and He has to make a choice.

What was this choice?

Not a choice of anger, not a choice of retribution, but one that would leave us all stunned.

He chooses to serve.

He chooses to wash the feet of His disciples, even the one that would betray Him.

The Creator of the universe, the King of Kings, kneeling down, taking the role of the lowest servant.

We witness the most powerful display of love and humility the world has ever seen.

Jesus, knowing He would soon be betrayed by one sitting at the table, chooses to wash their feet and share a meal that would forever change the meaning of love and sacrifice.

In our lives, it's easy to get caught up in the quest for recognition, achievement, and authority.

We're taught to climb the corporate ladder, to seek positions of influence, and to prioritize our needs above others.

Yet, Jesus turns this worldview upside down with a basin and a towel.

In this intimate moment with His disciples, He redefines greatness as servitude and leadership as love.

A Radical Role Reversal:

In a move that left His disciples speechless, Jesus their entire way of thinking on what it means to lead and to love.

He shows us that true greatness isn't found in ruling but in serving.

How often do we choose to be served rather than to serve?

You see, Maundy Thursday challenges us to ask the question.

Am I willing to do what Jesus did?

It's a question that cuts to the heart, challenging our pride and our preferences.

It invites us to a level of love and service that doesn't make sense to the world.

It calls us to wash the feet of those who might betray us, to love the unlovable, to serve without expecting anything in return.

Now let’s look at Communion.

Communion is the very core of our faith.

Now, for some of you, the word might bring up images of church trays, little cups, and tiny pieces of bread.

Communion is so much more than a religious routine.

It's a dynamic encounter with the living God.

The Last Supper: Breaking Bread, Pouring Out Love

Luke 22:19-20 - Here, Jesus lays the foundation for the New Covenant, His body broken and blood shed as a testament of His unending love for us.

Luke 22:19–20 KJV 1900

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

In Luke 22:19-20, we find a moment that literally split history in two.

Jesus, with His closest friends, about to face the darkest moment of human history, chooses this moment to institute something breathtaking.

He takes bread, breaks it, and says, “This is my body, given for you.”

Then, He takes the cup, saying, “This is my blood, poured out for you.”

This isn't just a symbolic act; it's the invitation of a lifetime.

Think about it.

The Creator of the universe, the Savior of the world, offering Himself to us in the most intimate and profound way possible.

He’s not asking us to remember Him as a distant figure in a dusty history book.

No, He’s inviting us into a relationship that’s alive and transformative.

Now, here’s where we often miss it.

We approach Communion like it's just another item on the Sunday service checklist.

But what if I told you that every time we take Communion, we’re given the opportunity to experience the power of the cross and resurrection all over again?

This is where heaven touches earth, where we’re reminded of the price paid for our freedom, and where we’re empowered to live in that freedom.

Communion is about connection.

It connects us with Jesus’ sacrifice, yes, but it also connects us to every believer around the world and throughout history.

In a culture that's all about what divides us, Communion stands as a radical statement of unity.

It says, "We are one in Christ."

Despite our differences, despite our disagreements, at the Lord's table, we are family.

Communion isn’t just a call to remember; it’s a call to action.

It's Jesus asking, "Will you live out this love and sacrifice in your daily life?"

It challenges us to ask

How am I pouring myself out for others?

How am I loving like Jesus loved?"

Let's make Communion what it was always meant to be—not just a tradition, but transformational.

A transformation that starts in our hearts and flows out into our lives, our communities, and our world.

Let's live as people of the Cross, transformed by His love, united in His purpose, and unleashed to change the world.

Because that is the power of Communion.

Now lets look at our final..

The New Commandment: Love as I Have Loved

John 13:34–35 KJV 1900

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

In a world where love is often conditional, Jesus commands us to love others as He has loved us

This is a love ..

without limits

without conditions

without end.

Jesus makes it clear; the world will know we're His disciples not by our knowledge, power, or piety but by our love for one another.

Love, according to Jesus, looks like...

serving those who can't repay you

forgiving those who don't deserve it

laying down your life for your friends.

Conclusion:

Maundy Thursday isn't just a historical event; it's a call to action.

It's Jesus showing us that love isn't just something we talk about; it's something we do.

As we step into the rest of Holy Week, let's walk in the footsteps of Jesus, loving fiercely, serving humbly, and living sacrificially.

Let's be the ones who kneel to wash the feet of others, showing God’s love in the most humblest acts of service.

It's time to take up the basin and towel, to break bread, and to pour out love in a way that transforms lives.

Call to Action:

This week, look for opportunities to serve those around you, not for recognition but as a reflection of Jesus' love.

Love was never meant to be a silent feeling but a loud action.

Challenge yourself to put love into action every day, making it visible through acts of kindness, words of encouragement, and gestures of compassion.

Foot Washing