Maundy Thursday
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Matthew 26: 17-30
17 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”
18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’ ” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.”
22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely not I, Lord?”
23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?”
Jesus answered, “Yes, it is you.”
26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
I’m curious about your calling it “Maundy Thursday”. I’ve always heard today referred to as “Holy Thursday”. What’s the history/significance?
It’s Holy Thursday for we Catholics.
From Wikipedia”
That’s interesting. Thanks, SST.
I’ve forgotten the exact story. But didn’t Christ wash his apostles’ feet or make some deal about washing feet at the Last Supper? I seem to remember there was at least some act of prostration Christ made that day to his apostles.
Yes, that’s in the Gospel of John.
Thanks for posting this, JR. I just finished reading a write-up about this feet washing thing here Very interesting lessons!
“Do you really understand what I have done to you? You call me Master, and you say well, for so I am. If, then, the Master has washed your feet, why was it that you were unwilling to wash one another’s feet? What lesson should you learn from this parable in which the Master so willingly does that service which his brethren were unwilling to do for one another? Verily, verily, I say to you: A servant is not greater than his master; neither is one who is sent greater than he who sends him. You have seen the way of service in my life among you, and blessed are you who will have the gracious courage so to serve. But why are you so slow to learn that the secret of greatness in the spiritual kingdom is not like the methods of power in the material world?
“When I came into this chamber tonight, you were not content proudly to refuse to wash one another’s feet, but you must also fall to disputing among yourselves as to who should have the places of honor at my table. Such honors the Pharisees and the children of this world seek, but it should not be so among the ambassadors of the heavenly kingdom. Do you not know that there can be no place of preferment at my table? Do you not understand that I love each of you as I do the others? Do you not know that the place nearest me, as men regard such honors, can mean nothing concerning your standing in the kingdom of heaven? You know that the kings of the gentiles have lordship over their subjects, while those who exercise this authority are sometimes called benefactors. But it shall not be so in the kingdom of heaven. He who would be great among you, let him become as the younger; while he who would be chief, let him become as one who serves. Who is the greater, he who sits at meat, or he who serves? Is it not commonly regarded that he who sits at meat is the greater? But you will observe that I am among you as one who serves. If you are willing to become fellow servants with me in doing the Father’s will, in the kingdom to come you shall sit with me in power, still doing the Father’s will in future glory.”
That’s a pretty unique web site that you linked to.
Regardless, it’s really important to note how Christ took on the role of a servant.
Back in those days, it was customary for a servant to wash your feet because the roads were dusty and the homeowner, generally, didn’t want dust traipsed all through the house. So, this washing of the feet so to speak was a matter of routine slave-labor, making what Jesus did all the more profound.
Last night, my pastor made a great point about this. He said that here was Jesus, clearly putting Himself in a subservient position, yet clearly still in control. Meaning, we might think because of our status or importance that we have control over outcomes, but the reality is that perception is not always truth.
I take away from this act the idea that a true leader walks amongst those he/she leads and is no more special in dealing with the trappings of life than anyone else. Jesus is teaching his apostle’s that service to a higher calling is more important. Who’s actually supposed to wash dirty feet and who’s supposed to have their feet washed is irrelevant when there’s a much higher purpose at hand.
I don’t see it as a control thing on Christ’s part. I don’t see his lesson here as being manipulative (”I’ll show you apostles who’s really in charge”). Although they were embarrassed by his actually getting down on the floor and actually washing their feet. I see it more of a lesson of teaching by example. (”I’m not above washing your feet as you too should not be above washing each others’ feet.”) The message sent is that you accomplish much more by being “one of the guys” than by being placed on a platform and ingratiated.
You’re absolutely right, Eileen. And, I am sorry to be such a poor intermediary about what my pastor was saying. I really wasn’t trying to convey that Jesus was showing the apostles who was boss.
Bottom-line: Christ was bringing himself to be the servant, not the served. And, he was leading by example.