Maundy - What You Didn't Know
I'd like to share an article by Dr. James C. Denison, Senior Pastor, Park Cities Baptist Church. I had no idea until I read the article, what "Maundy Thursday" was about.
To make a long story short, maundy is derived from the Latin word for mandated. So "Maundy Thursday" is "Thursday of the Mandate." But what mandate are we talking about? This was the night of the last supper. This night began with Jesus doing something so menial that no Jewish slave would ever be required to do it - washing someone else's feet.
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Then he mandated: "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you" (John 13:14-15). We are required to serve others as Jesus serves us. In fact, this is the only proof that we are his followers: "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (v. 35).
For years the Christian church has spouted the "Love" message. This obviously comes from v. 35. But the love message doesn't mean too much in contemporary society - even contemporary christian society. It is a word that we use and abuse so often that unless a person takes the extra time to think about what exactly Jesus meant by love, he will never grasp Jesus's meaning.
Did Jesus mean, "Smile at each other, nod, and ask about each others families?" Did he mean, "Put your arms around each other, pray loudly, and sing praise songs with fervor?" I say no! I believe that Jesus meant, "Throw away your pretenses and your insincerity. Throw away your personal comfort. Choose to work where the work is, and where it will make a difference."
Those of you who know John Mosiman and have travelled to Acuna to build houses and provide dental services, have a first hand view of "work where the work is, and where it will make a difference." Those who have worked with John always marvel at his focused energy. John is giving his all - his heart and his energy. I believe this is what Jesus meant when He said, "There is no greater love than that a man should give his life for another."
If one loves, he will serve. Where will he serve? Where ever his service makes a difference - without regard to station, reward, or convenience. This was the mandate from Jesus.
Now Jesus has handed us the towel. What will we do with it?
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posted by The Cat @ 6:09 AM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
Jim, Thank you for this article. I feel this is the "Number One" lesson Jesus taught, "To serve others". How different our world would be if we all had learned this lesson. If our priority is correct, God-first, others-second, and ourselves last, think of the changes that would happen in our lives and the world. Think of how relationships would change; Husbands and Wives putting their mates first, their children first,their employes first and their bosses first,and themselves last. It would make a difference.
Taking Jesus as our Savior and our example, turns our eyes to Him-first, others-second, and ourselves-last. It is something we have to work on our whole life, but we have Him as our example and we take up our towel and go to work.
Jim, Working where you can make a difference? Isn't that what you are planning to do by staying in the school where you are? You will make a real difference there. God bless you, my dear. Aunt Julia
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