Maundy Thursday Meditation

Listen to Piper preach the gospel at last night's communion service.
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FromStand to Reason

The word Maundy is derived through Middle English, and Old French mandé, from the Latin mandatum, the first word of the phrase "Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos" ( A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you), the statement by Jesus in the Gospel of John 13:34 by which Jesus explained to the Apostles the significance of his action of washing their feet.

Part of the focus of this day following Jesus to the cross is following His example of love and service.

It's really stunning when you think about it, the act of humility and servanthood Jesus gave when He washed the disciples' feet. Messiah, the God-man, Creator of the universe knelt down and washed their dirty feet. "He didn't consider it a thing to be grasped." May His people follow His profound example and be known as servants. Marvin Olasky has some excellent suggestions for practical ways how service to others matters.

So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again,

He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, 'HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.' From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me."
(John 13:12-20)

It's interesting to note, too, that at this profound moment, the last hours with His disciples before His death - knowing what was imminently before Him - He also emphasized His divine identity a few ways in this short passage: Immanuel, God with us. Only God could save us, and He did.