I look forward to Thursdays when I can publish thoughts on my spiritual journey and hear the thoughts of others on a weekly theme topic. It has become a space for an encouraging and fortifying community to come together. We welcome anyone who would like to join us!
In all the preparations for the celebration of Easter, we sometimes forget to remember the somberness that leads up to it. Today, we think about Jesus's last day before His crucifixion and what that was like for Him and those who loved Him.
If you knew your death was imminent, what would you do? Would you go out to your favorite restaurant and order the most expensive and delicious meal on the menu? Would you book a flight to a place you've always wanted to go? Would you check off a bucket list item? Jesus chose to spend His last day with His closest friends and wash their feet as an ultimate act of service and love. He even washed the feet of Judas Iscariot, the one who he knew would betray Him. "It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." - John 13:1 He loved them to the end. That makes me cry.
With whom would you choose to eat your last meal? What would the last meal be? After washing their feet, Jesus shared the Passover meal with His disciples. The breaking of bread and sharing of wine. I'm thankful that we continue the tradition of communion today. I have stories about various communions in the many churches we've visited. Those may become future posts some day. I love our church's way of doing it because they invite ALL believers to partake, and even children with permission of their parents. I was so relieved the first time we took communion there because it was explained! Every church is different, and it is nerve-racking to try to figure it out if it's not explained. Communion shouldn't be stressful or exclusive. It should be a covenant. A promise. A privilege. "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry." - John 6:35
Maundy Thursday gets its name from "mandatum," which means "commandment." Think of all the commandments that Jesus could have given his disciples and us at that moment. What did He choose as His departing words? "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." - John 13:34
He commanded us to love. Why do we fail so miserably at that one, seemingly simple command. He showed us how to do it. His acts of service and power all showed love in its perfect form, and yet, we find it so hard. As we approach the beauty and celebration of Easter, let us all do as He commanded and love one another. As He loved us.
Happy Easter, friends! Next Thursday our theme topic will be Easter.
Holly, this post is filled with thoughtful questions. Jesus was the ultimate servant leader as evidenced by His actions on earth. Have a wonderful holy Happy Easter.
ReplyDeleteWhen I looked up maundy, I got foot washing. That Google!
ReplyDeleteI love how fearless you are in sharing your faith with commitment and conviction. I also believe communion is for everyone. A (Episcopal) priest once told me that we do not teach children about nutrition before we feed them. The bread and wine are nutrition for our Christian life. Even the youngest child knows to treat the host with respect. When the hands reach out, it should never be refused.