Maundy Thursday
April 9, 2020
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Today is Maundy Thursday, “maundy” being a corruption of the Latin word mandatum, which means commandment—a reference to the commandment Jesus gave his disciples that night and throughout time, “Love one another as I have loved you.”
Note that this was a commandment—not a suggestion, or a thought for our consideration, which we have the freedom to take or leave as we like. It’s a commandment, a non-negotiable aspect of being a follower of Jesus.
I use the term “follower” deliberately here because Jesus didn’t simply give this commandment and then leave the disciples and us to figure out on our own what it might look like. Because the commandments of God are meant to be performed, and not just pondered, Jesus showed them.
Interrupting this most important meal he rose from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. He then poured water in a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and wipe them the towel—quite literally taking on the role of a servant and turning everyone’s expectations upside down as he demonstrated what love looks like in action.
We know expectations were upended by Peter’s reaction. Jesus’ actions made him immensely uncomfortable and so Peter tried to negotiate Jesus into doing something that would make him more comfortable. Or to put it another way, Peter wanted to tell Jesus what this divine commandment should really be.
But that’s the thing with divine commandments—they are received and done, not challenged and changed. Jesus says in no uncertain terms there are only two options, accept this and him, or reject this and reject him.
Such a stance may initially strike us as harsh and dictatorial, but it’s really a great grace, because Jesus has left no room for confusion. In his words and actions Jesus made clear for his disciples and us, this is what love looks like so we not only know what to do but what to expect.
I once heard love defined as wanting the very best for another and then doing everything possible to make that best come to make it happen. This is what Jesus does in the upper room on his last night with the 12 and then does more completely and fully in the days ahead with his death, resurrection and ascension. In these profound acts of love Jesus shows us his love, and makes it a reality for each one of us in our lives.
He gives us this new commandment to love one another, shows us what it looks like in practice. He washed all their feet—Judas’ who would later that night betray him, Peter who only hours after that would deny him three times, and the other 10 who would desert him in the garden—because he loved them.
And this is what he has not only commanded us to do, but by his death, resurrection and ascension has empowered us to do as well—to love one another as he las loved us. Because he says it is by this everyone will know we are his disciples.
Sit with that for a moment.
It is by loving others as Christ has loved us that everyone will know we are his followers. By doing this commandment—desiring God’s best for others then doing whatever we can to make that best happen for them.
But lest you begin to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of this command—remember we love as Christ has loved us. We don’t love in our own power and strength, or according to our own feelings. We love as we have been loved by Jesus, trusting he has given and will give us all we need to be faithful to this commandment as we try to follow him.
It is because we are loved by him that we can love others.
Christ is calling us to follow his example, to do as he did in the situations we find ourselves in, with the people he has placed in our path.
One of the things I’ve read repeatedly in articles about how to best deal with this new reality of physical distancing and staying home, is the importance of actively putting the needs of others before our own wants and desires. That we benefit emotionally and mentally by caring for, by loving others, rather than just looking out for ourselves.
Such a finding is hardly a surprise. Jesus promised us life, life abundantly. Is it any wonder that loving others as we have been loved by him, will bring us life, will bless not just emotionally and mentally but also spiritually?
God grant us the grace to not just hear our Lord’s commandment but to do it. May our hearts be opened to receive his love that we might truly love others as He has loved us, and as we follow him, live in the grace and mercy, the light and life he has won for us through his death and resurrection.