Maundy Thursday, April 9th 2009

Posted on April 7, 2009 by theoldadam
( from Lutheran Church of the Master’s monthly publication, ‘The Mast’)

Traditionally in the Christian Church, this day is known as Maundy Thursday. The term ‘Maundy’ comes from the Latin word mandatum (from which we get our English word mandate), a verb that means “to give”, “to entrust”, or “to order”.  The term is usually translated to “commandment”, from John’s account of that Thursday night.  According to the Fourth Gospel, as Jesus’ and the Disciples were eating their final meal together before Jesus’ arrest, he washed the disciple’s feet to illustrate humility and the spirit of servanthood.  After they had finished the meal, as they walked into the night toward Gethsemane, Jesus taught his disciples a “new” commandment, that was not really new  (John 13:34-35) :

 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, you also ought to love another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

_________________________________________________________

In your opinion, are the word’s that Jesus spoke on that Thursday night, concerning loving one another, words of law, or are they words of gospel?

Filed under: Maundy Thursday | 32 Comments »