Maundy Thursday is the last Thursday before Easter, and it comes before Good Friday. One can immediately see the stark contrast between the words "maundy" and "good." How can a sad event turn into a good one within hours? The Holy Week is composed of a series of events that changed the lives of Christians forever. And today, we will look at what took place on Maundy Thursday and how significant it is for us.
What is Maundy Thursday?
Maundy Thursday is also known as Covenant Thursday, Holy Thursday, and Thursday of Mysteries. This day also marks the beginning of the three-day Easter celebration, which is the most significant time of the year for us Christians.
What is the meaning of the Last Supper?
It is during this day when Jesus had His Last Supper with His apostles in Jerusalem. It is called the Last Supper for the very reason that this was Jesus' last meal before He dies on the cross the next day. There were two symbolic moments during Maundy Thursday.
The first is when Jesus showed humility and washed the feet of His disciples. John 13:4-5 says:
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.
Jesus heard his disciples quarrel about who among them is the greatest. Even though they fought to be the highest, Jesus oppositely went to the place of a servant, and took it upon himself to wash the feet of the disciples to show his attitude of servanthood. Jesus told the disciples that those who know how to humble themselves will be blessed.
The other important moment was when Jesus broke the bread and drank wine with the apostles. They shared the food among themselves. Jesus referred to bread as His body and the wine as His blood.
However, Jesus also made a commandment: "And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another (John 13:34)."
Another commandment was to always remember Jesus when they break bread and drink wine even after His death. This is why present-day churches continue to eat bread and drink wine during communion.
