Thursday

Thursday of Holy Week is known as Maundy Thursday. The word Maundy comes from the Latin word Mandatum which simply means commandment. It refers to the new commandment that Jesus gave His disciples during the last supper.

My goodness, before we go any further maybe we should pause for a moment and make sure that we are living up to our end of that commandment. In fact, let me ask the internet what the American churches are known for really quick… Okay, I am back. I have good news and bad news. I did get a list of positives, but it seems the list of negatives were pretty pointed and possibly more accurate as well. Here’s what I found:

Positives: What American Churches Are Often Known For

1. Generosity and Missions

   1. Many churches are generous with finances, volunteerism, and global mission work.

   2. They lead disaster relief efforts (e.g., Samaritan’s Purse, Convoy of Hope).

   3. Strong support of local and global outreach—feeding the poor, planting churches, building schools and hospitals.

2. Innovation and Media

   1. American churches have pioneered Christian media, from radio and TV to livestreaming and social apps.

   2. Creative worship, large-scale conferences, and Bible apps like YouVersion originated here.

3. Religious Freedom and Expression

   1. America has long been a place where churches operate freely, able to gather, evangelize, and influence public life.

   2. This has led to a wide variety of denominations, styles, and theological expressions.

Critiques: What American Churches Are Also Known For

1. Consumerism and Entertainment

   1. Critics often say American churches resemble businesses or concert venues more than spiritual communities.

   2. There’s a tendency to cater to preferences and personalities rather than challenging people to die to self.

2. Political Entanglement

   1. Churches (on both sides of the aisle) are sometimes seen as more loyal to political ideologies than to Christ.

   2. This has created division and confusion about the true mission of the Church.

3. Scandals and Hypocrisy

   1. Public moral failures of prominent pastors or ministries have damaged credibility.

   2. Many outside the church associate Christianity with judgmentalism, scandal, or power struggles.

4. Discipleship Weakness

   1. Despite packed services, critics say many churches are not effectively making disciples.

   2. There’s a growing concern that biblical illiteracy and shallow faith are common.

Folks, under the ‘known for’ section I do not see the love of Christ, and all I can do is sadly agree with the negatives that the church is known for as well. We are barely into the introduction of Maundy Thursday, and we are quite possibly in need of repentance. What are WE known for as a church? If warmth and love is not the first thing people think of when they think of New Covenant Church Waverly, then I clearly am not doing my job! 

So, after a Wednesday of rest for all but Judas, Jesus had a powerful final supper, and teachings planned for His disciples. You can find this scene in the scriptures in Matthew 26:17–75, Mark 14:12–72, Luke 22:7–65, and John 13–18. Here is an outline of Maundy Thursday.

Preparation for the Passover Meal

• Texts: Matthew 26:17–19; Mark 14:12–16; Luke 22:7–13

• Jesus sends Peter and John ahead to prepare the Passover meal in a furnished upper room in Jerusalem.

• This meal would become the Last Supper, filled with prophetic meaning.

The Last Supper and the New Covenant

• Texts: Matthew 26:20–29; Mark 14:17–25; Luke 22:14–38; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26

• Jesus celebrates the Passover with His disciples, but transforms it into the Lord’s Supper, instituting the New Covenant in His blood.

• “This is my body… This is my blood… Do this in remembrance of me.”

• He foretells His betrayal by one of the Twelve.

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet (Only in John)

• Text: John 13:1–17

• Jesus takes on the role of a servant, washing their feet to demonstrate humility, service, and love.

• “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”

Jesus’ Farewell Discourse and New Commandment

• Texts: John 13–17

• Jesus teaches His disciples about the Holy Spirit, abiding in Him, and prepares them for His departure.

• He gives the “new commandment”:

• “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)

• He prays the High Priestly Prayer in John 17:

• For Himself, His disciples, and for all future believers to be one.

Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane

• Texts: Matthew 26:30–46; Mark 14:26–42; Luke 22:39–46; John 18:1

• Jesus goes to pray on the Mount of Olives. He is overwhelmed with sorrow and prays,

• “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”

• He submits fully to the Father’s will, sweating great drops of blood (Luke 22:44).

• His disciples fall asleep during His darkest hour.

 Judas’ Betrayal and Jesus’ Arrest

• Texts: Matthew 26:47–56; Mark 14:43–52; Luke 22:47–53; John 18:2–11

• Judas arrives with a crowd carrying swords and clubs.

• He betrays Jesus with a kiss.

• Jesus is arrested, and the disciples scatter.

• Peter cuts off the ear of Malchus, and Jesus heals him.

Jesus Taken to the High Priest (First Trial Begins)

• Texts: Matthew 26:57–68; Mark 14:53–65; Luke 22:54–65; John 18:12–24

• Jesus is taken to the house of the high priest (Annas and then Caiaphas) for an illegal night trial.

• He is falsely accused and mocked.

• Peter follows at a distance… and then denies Jesus three times, fulfilling Jesus’ prophecy. 

That is a lot of theology shaping and world changing work from Jesus on the most agonizing night of His life! Now what should it mean for us? Let me give you a few powerful truths that these scenes speak into my life.

1. Judas ate too, but you know what? He went to betray Jesus with clean feet. 

We often hear the statement that Judas ate too, but we leave out the part where he didn’t just eat, he was there for the foot washing!  The immeasurable love and humility Jesus shows is as convicting as it is foreign to our way of living. We are taught to take care of those who love us and excommunicate those who hurt us, yet that is not what Jesus showed us to do. 

2. Jesus knew the agony that was ahead of Him, yet He prayed ‘not my will but yours.’

We see Jesus so agonized by His near future that he sweat blood! How does that happen? Well, it is a medical condition called Hematidrosis. Hematidrosis is a condition where a person literally sweats blood, usually under extreme physical or emotional stress. The sweat glands are surrounded by tiny blood vessels (capillaries), and under intense stress, these vessels can rupture, causing blood to mix with sweat. Even under this amount of stress and agony, Jesus shows us what faithfulness to God looks like when He chooses to honor God with words and actions. 

3. His final prayer for His followers was unity.

In John 17, John highlights Jesus’ desire for his followers.

Again, we see an attribute that Jesus calls us to as His church, unity. Love and Unity are to be the chief characteristics of the Church. How are we measuring up! 

As we reflect on the weight of the events of Maundy Thursday, the meal, the communion, the foot washing, the prayer, and the betrayal, let us not lose focus that the King of the Universe was always in charge. Even when it felt like his disciples were sleeping, even when one of them was a turncoat, even when they paraded Him from trial to trial. Even tomorrow when they put Him in the cross. God was in charge and He was teaching His disciples and the church that follows what it looks like to be fully surrendered to the will of God in love and unity. 

As we pray today, maybe we must repent for not living up to Jesus’ new commandment of loving one another so deeply that the world will know we follow Him. Maybe today we need to ask God to help us become a unified body that doesn’t seek our own comfort, but the will of the Father above all else. Today as we see the King of the universe turn Himself over to be mocked, judged, and beaten, let us pray for the courage and boldness to live out our faith in a culture that seems to be moving further and further away from Christ.