Maundy Thursday

What Does "Maundy" Mean?

Derived from the Latin word mandatum, meaning "commandment," Maundy refers to the commands Jesus gave his disciples at the Last Supper: to love with humility by serving one another and to remember his sacrifice.

 (John 13:1 NIV)  It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

(John 13:2 NIV)  The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.

(John 13:3 NIV)  Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;

(John 13:4 NIV)  so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.

(John 13:5 NIV)  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.

(John 13:6 NIV)  He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"

(John 13:7 NIV)  Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

(John 13:8 NIV)  "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

(John 13:9 NIV)  "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"

(John 13:10 NIV)  Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you."

(John 13:11 NIV)  For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

(John 13:12 NIV)  When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them.

(John 13:13 NIV)  "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am.

(John 13:14 NIV)  Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.

(John 13:15 NIV)  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

(John 13:16 NIV)  I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

(John 13:17 NIV)  Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.