Last Thursday, the Thursday before Good Friday is known as Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday. This is the night of the last supper where Jesus celebrated the Passover with the twelve disciples. Many churches commemorate Maundy Thursday with a feet washing ceremony, communion and sermons on loving one another. Last Thursday I went to a Maundy Thursday service with my son. It was the first time I had my feet washed by a bishop! I commend the priests and bishop for doing such a humbling task.
John 13: 2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 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.
Maundy comes from the Latin word “Maundatum” which translates to mandate or commandment. After the feet washing ceremony, Jesus issued a new commandment to his disciples:
John 13: 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Jesus set us an example. If Jesus, as master and teacher can wash the feet of this disciples, we can also do the same for our brothers and sisters. This embodies servant leadership and serving the body of Christ and his blessings follows those who practice this.
John 13: 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
There is great significance in the events that transpired at this last supper with his disciples. As mentioned in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, it was at this last supper that the first communion took place whereby Jesus broke bread and gave them the cup to drink, making them all part of the body of Christ.
And it was also this same night and during the course of the meal that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and gave them the new commandment to love one another.
This is the only biblical account of Jesus washing the feet of anyone. There is no biblical record of Jesus washing the feet of sinners or unbelievers or issuing the new commandment to everybody. Instead, these acts were specifically directed toward His disciples—the individuals who partook of the bread and cup and who are united with Him in one body, the church of Jesus Christ.
In later years, the apostle Paul, in laying down instructions for the Corinthian church in partaking communion (1 Corinthians 11:23-32) referenced this same occasion- the night where Jesus was betrayed, the night of the first communion , the night where he issued the new commandment to love one another. And Paul urged the church to judge themselves as to how they are treating the body of Christ, which they all are a part of.
1 Corinthians 11: 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.
Let us wash each other feet by serving one another in love. There are numerous ways that we can serve each other such as praying, encouraging, helping in practical ways, etc. And as we serve one another we are actually loving Jesus and loving the Father, because those who love Him will obey His commandments.
John 14: 23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
Be blessed as you serve one another in love.
Xandria