Today is Maundy Thursday. Why is it called that? Maundy is derived from the Latin meaning “mandate”. After Jesus sees that no one is moving to wash feet at supper, He gets up and takes on the form of a servant. When He finished, He instructed His disciples that as He had done to them, they should also do to one another. They should serve as He has served them. They should love as they have been loved. One of the things that stands out to me from what Jesus says is in John 13:34-35:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

It’s interesting to me because Jesus says: A New Commandment”. Wait-a-minute! How is this new? Hasn’t He said this before? Upon further and closer inspection, He hadn’t. Look for yourself:

30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus is giving a “new” commandment: to love others, not just my enemies, not as I love myself but as He has loved me! This elevates the love to an entirely new level. Jesus has shown His love not by just turning the other cheek, or going the extra mile but in laying down His own rights, position, and ultimately His life for me. He wants me to love others like that. That’s the new commandment.

Jesus has forgiven me too many times to count or remember. He’s served me. He’s encouraged me. He’s prayed for me. He’s loved me. All of this while I am still undeserving. His mandate on Maundy Thursday is to love others in the same way. Forgive. Serve. Encourage. Pray. For one another as He is still doing for you.