Love in Action
Introduction: The Night Before
the Cross
Maundy Thursday begins the
Paschal Triduum, the sacred three days that commemorate the Passion, Death, and
Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a night filled with powerful
moments: the Last Supper, the washing of feet, and the new commandment to love.
The word "Maundy" comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning
commandment, taken from Jesus' words: "A new commandment I give to you,
that you love one another."
1. The Passover: God Delivers
His People (Exodus 12:1-14)
God instructs Moses to prepare
the Israelites for the final plague and their deliverance from Egypt. Each
family is to slaughter a lamb, apply its blood on the doorposts, and eat the
meal in haste.
Key Themes:
- The Blood of the Lamb: A sign of protection
and deliverance. This prefigures Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away
the sin of the world.
- Remembrance: The Passover is a perpetual
ordinance for the Israelites to remember God’s saving act.
Application: Just as the
Israelites were called to be ready and trust in God's promise of deliverance,
we are called to trust in the saving work of Christ. Are we living as people
marked by the Lamb?
2. The Meal of the New
Covenant (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
Paul reminds the Corinthian
church of the significance of the Lord’s Supper, which Jesus instituted on the
night of His betrayal.
Key Themes:
- Remembrance: "Do this in remembrance of
Me." We remember not just the event, but the Person of Jesus and His
sacrifice.
- Proclamation: Every time we partake of the
bread and the cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
- Unity: The meal unites us as the Body of
Christ.
Application: Are we coming
to the table with reverence and gratitude? Do we reflect the unity and love
that the Lord’s Supper signifies?
3. Jesus Washes His Disciples'
Feet (John 13:1-17)
In an extraordinary act of
humility, Jesus washes the feet of His disciples, taking on the role of a
servant.
Key Themes:
- Servanthood: Jesus models true greatness in
service.
- Love to the End: "Having loved His own
who were in the world, He loved them to the end."
- Participation with Christ: Unless we allow
Jesus to serve us, we cannot truly follow Him.
Application: Do we allow
Jesus to cleanse us? Are we willing to serve others with the same humility? In
what ways are we washing the feet of others today?
4. The New Commandment: Love
One Another (John 13:31b-35)
After Judas leaves to betray Him,
Jesus speaks to the remaining disciples about His coming glorification and
gives them a new commandment.
Key Themes:
- Christ-like Love: "As I have loved you,
so you must love one another."
- Witness: "By this everyone will know
that you are my disciples."
Application: Is our love
for one another visible, radical, and self-sacrificing? What would our
community look like if we truly loved as Jesus loved?
5. Thanksgiving and Commitment
(Psalm 116:1, 10-17)
This psalm expresses gratitude
for God's deliverance and a vow to offer a "sacrifice of
thanksgiving."
Application: Our response
to God's love and deliverance should be lives of gratitude and service. Are we
offering ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1)?
Conclusion: The Table, The
Towel, The Cross
Maundy Thursday calls us to
remember, to serve, and to love. Jesus not only shared a meal with His
disciples; He stooped to wash their feet and gave His life for them.
Reflection Questions:
- What does it mean for me to love as Jesus loved?
- How is God calling me to serve others in humility?
- Do I come to the table with a heart of gratitude
and obedience?
Prayer: "Lord Jesus,
on this sacred night, You gave us the gift of Your body and blood, the example
of humble service, and the command to love. Help us to remember, to serve, and
to love with hearts full of grace and gratitude. In Your holy name, Amen."
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