Holy Thursday

Holy Thursday at sundown during Holy Week, also known as Maundy Thursday, marks the beginning of the Paschal Triduum—the three days leading up to Easter Sunday. The term “Maundy” is derived from the Latin word “mandatum,” meaning “commandment. Let’s explore the events and commands of Christ to His disciples on the biblical Holy Thursday and discern what those events mean to us in modern times.

1. Matthew 26:18—Jesus directed His disciples to go into the city to a certain man and make arrangements for them to celebrate the Passover at the man’s house. The Messiah did not observe the Passover at a synagogue or a luxurious place but at a place of no significance. I can identify with this kind of Christ who would rather dine at the humblest abode than with the nobility. Christ will dine with all of us regardless of our status. Jesus, being fully aware of the chaotic situation that awaited him, was unwavering in celebrating the Passover in the most vulnerable place, demonstrating His commitment to fulfill the Father’s will.

2. John 13: 2-5—Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. This act symbolized the importance of humility, servanthood, and love for one another. Jesus taught his disciples that they should also serve one another similarly.

3. Matthew 26:20-25—Jesus announced that one of his disciples would betray Him. And they all vociferously declared, “Lord, surely it is not I.” It is sobering to think if we were also around that table dining with Jesus, our sins would find us guilty. We celebrate Holy Thursday as a reminder that despite our transgressions, God still loves us and sacrificed His son for our redemption.

4. Matthew 26:26-29—Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist, where He broke bread and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

The events of Holy Thursday do not conclude with the Lord’s Supper. After the Last Supper, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He experienced great distress and anguish as he contemplated the suffering he was about to endure. Jesus prayed to God, asking if it were possible for the cup of suffering to be taken from Him, but ultimately submitted to God’s will. While Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas Iscariot arrived with a crowd of soldiers and religious leaders sent to arrest Him. Judas identified Jesus by greeting him with a kiss, leading to Jesus’ arrest and subsequent trial and crucifixion.

The significance of Holy Thursday is further accentuated by Jesus’ commandment to His disciples: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have a love for one another” (John 13:34-35). This commandment reminds believers to prioritize love and unity within the body of Christ, which transcends boundaries of race, ethnicity, and social status.

The events of Holy Thursday, the Last Supper, the washing of the disciples’ feet, and the betrayal of Jesus set the stage for Jesus’s ultimate act of love that atoned for the sins of humanity, offering redemption and reconciliation to all who believe in Him.

Prayer

We commemorate the sanctity of Maundy Thursday, the day of the Last Supper. We remember Christ’s humility when He washed His disciples’ feet, demonstrating the core principles of service and love. Grant us the grace to emulate His actions, to show compassion in serving others, and to love each other as He loves us. May this Holy Thursday enhance our appreciation of the sacrifice Christ made for us, and may we consistently endeavor to embody His teachings in our words, acts, and deeds. In a world full of darkness and division, we pray for unity among all believers and our love for one another to be a beacon of light. Amen.

Leroy Gilbert, Ph.D., serves as assistant professor for the Regent University School of Divinity.