Maundy Thursday: History, significance and 3 Bible verses
Maundy Thursday is considered to be the day that Jesus Christ and his disciples shared their Last Supper. Most notably, during the Jewish festival of Passover, Jesus displayed tremendous humility by washing his followers' feet. Then he told them to reciprocate it to one another.
The word "Maundy" comes from Latin, meaning "commandment," referring to the new commandment that Jesus gave to his disciples at the Last Supper, to love one another as he had loved them. This day is also significant in Western Christianity because it commemorates the institution of the Eucharist and Holy Communion during the Last Supper.
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History
The greatest need of his followers—new spiritual life and sin forgiveness—was provided by Jesus through selfless sacrifice. Even his adversaries were loved by him, and he commands us to love those who don't seem to deserve it. Since he had nothing to gain from them, Jesus loved sinners 'to the end' (or 'to the max'; John 13:1), just as we are required to do the same.
Communion service and a foot-washing ritual are common parts of Maundy Thursday celebrations in many churches. Christians can meditate on the sacrifice made by Jesus and his message to love and serve others through these customs.
Significance of Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday also commemorates the agony of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he prayed before his capture and subsequent trial leading to his crucifixion. This day usually includes special Masses and religious ceremonies, including foot-washing services in some Christian denominations.
Overall, Maundy Thursday serves as a reminder of Christ's sacrifice for humanity and challenges us all to serve one another with love, kindness, and humility.
3 Bible verses for Maundy Thursday
Luke 22:14-20 - "When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
John 13:2-17 - "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Philippians 2:1-11 - "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness…”