Maundy Thursday is also known as Easter Triduum (3 days before Easter).  This is a rather eventful day in the life of Christ… and therefore the life of the Church.  Maundy comes from the Old English vernacular (latin = mandatum) and is taken from John 13, “A new commandment (instruction/teaching) I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you.”

Big comment: Not even Moses made commandments.  He delivered them from YHWH.  I don’t think people really realize the magnitude of this statement Jesus makes.  It’s not just about the command, but that He has the authority to command.

Lord’s Supper: In the evening on Thursday we come to the Passover meal.  Many people already know the significance of the Passover meal in rememberance of the exodus from slavery.  What I find interesting about this meal is that Jesus takes it and draws the connection in such a way that sounds like this:  (from Landon’s Free Translation) “There was a night you remember.  It was the night when I rescued you from slavery, and I made death pass over you because of my strong love (KESED) for you.  I recognized the sacrifice and brought you into a new life that you had never known.  I ultimately made you into my people… and today you still remember that great act of love.  Tonight I fulfill that great act which point to this moment in time for all these years… only this time the sacrifice will stand forever.  By taking part in this, you are connected to me and to each other as my people.”

Washing of the Feet: Feet are dirty and cleaning other people’s feet makes most people shiver.  Congrats if you don’t share this feeling.  You are rare.  Between the Lord’s Supper and the Foot Washing, we see a servant Christ that doesn’t look anything like the militant Messiah expected.  Expectations can be so misleading, can’t they?  What a parallel to Mary, who washed and annointed Jesus’ feet just hours/days prior.  I wonder how the disciples accepted Mary’s servant act (good form) and if they felt awkward that theor leader just sis the same thing.  Was Jesus annointing their ministry (most martyrs) as well?

Garden of Gethsemene (“Oil Press”): After the upper room, Jesus retreats to the garden.  This was a regular prayer place for the group.   Jesus prays, sweats, bleeds… not my will, but yours. The disciples nod off.  Judas kisse.  The narrative picks up speed very quickly.  See you tomorrow.