Maunday Thursday

The Power of Humility and Love

Texts: John 13:1–17; Philippians 2:5–8 Theme: Jesus didn’t just teach love—He knelt in it.

I. Introduction

Tonight, we stand at the threshold of the cross.

Jesus knows what’s coming—Gethsemane, betrayal, lashes, nails, the tomb. But before He sheds His blood, before His Body is broken, He does something strange.

He kneels.

He removes His robe, wraps a towel around Himself, pours water into a basin, and begins to wash the feet of His disciples.

This is not ceremony. This is not ritual.

This is revelation. This is divine love taking the lowest place.

This night is called Maundy Thursday—from the Latin mandatum, meaning command. Because in John 13:34, Jesus gives His disciples a new command:

John 13:34 NKJV

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

But Jesus doesn’t just tell them how to love—He shows them.

II. Love Knows—And Still Kneels

Text: John 13:1–5

John 13:1–3 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,

“Jesus knew that His hour had come… having loved His own… He loved them to the end.”

The Greek word here for "knew" is eidōs—a complete, all-knowing awareness.

Jesus knew:

Judas would betray Him.

Peter would deny Him.

The others would desert Him.

And He still knelt.

He didn’t kneel in ignorance.

He knelt in full awareness of their failures—and served them anyway.

Some of us only serve when it’s safe, when it’s reciprocated, or when it’s convenient.

But the love of Jesus is not reactive—it’s proactive.

It serves even when it sees the failure coming.

Tonight, Jesus invites us to kneel with Him in the place of undeserved grace.

III. Love Lays Down the Robe

Text: John 13:4–5

John 13:4–11 NKJV

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.”

When Jesus removed His robe in John 13, He was:

Laying aside His glory.

Taking on humanity.

Embracing the role of a servant.

Historically:

In 1st-century Jewish households:

Foot washing was essential but humiliating.

Not even Jewish servants were expected to perform it.

The job was given to Gentile slaves—outsiders.

And yet—Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, their Rabbi, took the position no one else wanted.

He didn’t lose authority when He picked up the towel—He revealed it.

Jesus wasn’t less God when He knelt—He was showing us what God is really like. He doesn’t hold on to power—He uses it to lift others.

What robe do you need to lay down?

The robe of pride?

The robe of offense?

The robe of needing to be seen?

The anointing is not just in the robe—it’s in the towel.

IV. Foot Washing Tonight, as Jesus did—we humble ourselves. We take off our status, and we pick up the towel.

Let this be a quiet, reverent act. Let the Spirit minister through the visual.

V. Love Kneels to Heal

Text: John 13:12–17

John 13:12–17 KJV 1900

So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 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. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

He wasn’t simply cleaning the dust off their feet.

He was restoring dignity. He was healing shame. He was redefining greatness.

Jesus didn’t cause the dirt—but He removed it.

And tonight, some of us may be carrying things He never meant for us to carry:

Shame we didn’t cause

Pain we didn’t deserve

Dust from someone else’s brokenness

And still—He kneels. Still—He washes. Still—He restores.

What He did in the upper room wasn’t the end of love’s expression. It was just the beginning.

Because the same hands that washed their feet …would soon break the bread. …would soon raise the cup. …would soon be pierced for the sins of the world.

Now we come to that same table. The place of remembrance. The place of surrender. The place of healing.

Let’s prepare our hearts to receive communion.

VI. Communion:

Tonight, we’ve witnessed the love of Jesus in motion.

He didn’t just say, “I love you”—He knelt in it.

He washed the feet of those who would fail Him.

He humbled Himself to cleanse what they could not.

Now we come to His table.

Communion is more than a symbol—it is a divine exchange. His body for your brokenness. His blood for your forgiveness. His finished work for your fresh start.

Pause to Reflect

Before we eat or drink, we pause. Not in fear, but in reverence.

Scripture says to examine our hearts (1 Corinthians 11:28), not to disqualify ourselves—but to remember why we need grace.

Ask:

Lord, where do I need to be cleansed tonight?

Who do I need to forgive?

What needs healing in my body, my mind, or my heart?

“Search me, O God, and know my heart… and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23–24)

[Pause briefly for reflection and prayer]

The Bread – His Body Broken for You

“This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” —Luke 22:19

Isaiah 53:5 says:

“By His stripes, we are healed.”

As you hold the bread, remember—this is not routine. This is covenant. This is provision. This is healing.

Say or lead the prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You that Your body was broken so mine could be made whole. As I take this bread, I receive healing—physically, emotionally, spiritually. You were wounded for my restoration. You bore my pain. I receive Your peace.

Take and eat the bread.

The Cup – His Blood Poured Out in Love

“This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.” —Luke 22:20

His blood didn’t just cover your sin—it cleansed it completely. You are not just forgiven—you are made righteous.

Say or lead the prayer:

Thank You, Jesus, for Your blood. You paid the price I could never pay. Because of You, I am clean, I am loved, I am free. I receive this covenant of grace with a thankful heart.”

Take and drink the cup.

Receiving Healing – A Moment of Faith

Now, if you're in need of healing—body, mind, or soul—take a moment to believe that what you’ve received is more than symbolic.

"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree… By His wounds, you have been healed." —1 Peter 2:24

Quiet moment of prayer: Repeat....

Lord, I receive healing. I speak wholeness over every part of my life. I thank You that what You finished on the cross is working in me tonight.”

Be Blessed!

.