Holy Thursday

Reflections on Holy Week: Love Like This

“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” - John 13:1

“And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, ‘I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.’” - Luke 22:14-15

Art by Stephen Crotts, gifted to us for our prayer room

It’s Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday. Maundy comes from the Latin word “mandatum,” which means “command” or “mandate,” alluding to what Jesus said to his disciples at the Last Supper, “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn 13:34-35)

Years’ worth of sermons could be preached on the scriptures we have from this twenty-four-hour timeframe alone. Throughout the gospels we see Jesus teach openly in the temple, on the hillsides, and to the crowds, but this day gives us one of the most intimate, inside looks into his final words to his closest friends. Read every account, but if you have to lean into one, the gospel of John is the most revealing. In many ways, it feels like a magnum opus or final testament to all the things Jesus wanted to say to those he loved before everything would change. This moment as described in John 13-17 is stunning, and I encourage you to take your time with it, as it is here we really get a glimpse into the layers, shades, and textures of the heart of the Father through the vulnerable sharing of Jesus.

“In this atmosphere of breathtaking vulnerability the scene was set for Jesus to reveal more of the deep treasures of his heart to his friends. The mood was thick with the kind of intense intimacy and heartfelt trust one experiences after years of seasoned and tested friendship. As they gathered around the Passover table, Jesus began to unfold the holy mysteries at the heart of the Eternal Family. Beautifully, he revealed how a way was being made for each of us to be caught up in the love shared between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” - excerpt from The God Story, by Alain Emerson and Adam Cox

My words are too limited to express all that this day (or rather night) and its events stir in me. For now, I’ll reflect on one. I’m struck by the blatant juxtaposition of man’s ways versus God’s ways as seen in that Passover meal, and compelled by the grace of Jesus tenderly showing his beloveds (those in front of him and those who would come) the best path.

Here we have the disciples wondering who among them could be the betrayer (Luke 22:23), no doubt unleashing criticisms and pointing the finger, then ultimately spiraling into an arguement over who among them is the greatest (verse 24). We then see in the gospel of John, Jesus give a particularly glorious sermon—this one not with words, but with a towel. It was custom in that day for feet to be washed before a communal meal, but it would have been done by the lowliest servant in the house of the host, or if there was no servant, by the youngest or least experienced or educated. So when Jesus began to disrobe (garments also symbolizing dignity and status), He was literally showing them a picture of what we see in Philippians 3:7 when “He stripped Himself of His glory” in order to come to earth in the form of a man. And not just to come to us, but to come to us and serve.

“When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, ‘Do you understand what I have done to you?… I have given you an example…’” - John 13:12,15

“And he said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.’” - Luke 22:25-26

May we be struck by this challenge, may we sit with it and not race past. May we not just talk about it, or hear about it and nod our heads in agreement that “yes, this is a good thing.” May we, by the grace of the Holy Spirit, our helper, let this mandate from Jesus change everything. May it mark how we speak to our spouse, to our kids, to our staff, to our teams, to the stranger at the store, to the one who interrupts or is extra needy, to the one in front of us, and especially to any whom the world would deem as the “least of these.”

Prayer: Lord, help me. I don’t have the ability on my own to be like You, but I trust in Your word, which promises the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is inside of me, and that the Holy Spirit helps me at all times and in every way. I yield to You now, choosing to walk in the Spirit and not the flesh. Thank You, Jesus, for showing us the best way, for calling us friends, and for making Your home in our hearts.