Maundy Thursday

Good morning TGSC EM family!

As you probably figured out from the subject line, today is Maundy Thursday.  You may or may not have heard it being called this before.  When I was growing up I thought people were saying, “Monday through Thursday”, referring to those of days of Passion Week.  Or “mundane” Thursday even though it didn’t really make a lot of sense for it to mean that.  So what is Maundy Thursday?

Maundy Thursday points to the events that took place on the night before Jesus was crucified.  The name comes from the Latin word mandatum which means “command”.  It’s where we get the word “mandate”.  It refers to the command that Jesus gave His disciples that night after He had broken the bread, shared the wine (The Last Supper), and washed their feet.  He commanded them to love one another just as He loved them.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 
-John 13:34

To understand the full meaning behind Jesus’ command we need a little context.  Just before Jesus issued this command to His disciples, He told them that someone in their group was about to betray Him.  He knew that Judas would eventually lead the guards to arrest Him.  Jesus dipped some bread into the wine and gave it to Judas and told him, “What you do, do quickly” (John 13:27).  He knew His earthly ministry was quickly coming to an end.  By feeding His disciples and washing their feet, Jesus was setting an example, a standard that He wanted His followers to copy in their own lives.  Jesus was teaching them how to love self-sacrificially.  To love someone for their own sake and not for personal gain or satisfaction.  Jesus gave up His life for our sake.  He was setting a new standard for us to keep.  And I personally believe that if we are able to love others this way, people will open their hearts to Jesus during this unprecedented time.  

I encourage you to take part in our Good Friday and Easter service because I’m going to share a two part message on how God’s love is still here and working in our world.  

  • Good Friday Service – April 10, 2020 @ 7pm
  • Easter Sunday – April 12, 2020 @ 11am
  • (Links will be sent out later on.)

Before I close, I just want to thank you for taking the time to read this blog post.  This blog post is meant to encourage you and remind you of the hope that we have in Jesus Christ.  I pray that they’re a blessing to you. 

God bless you and keep you all safe during this time.

-Pastor Joe

From Pastor Joe Kim’s email and edited by webmaster to post online.

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