Maundy Thursday commemorates the institution of the Last Supper and a new commandment - to love one another
It was the day before Jesus’ death and the last time He celebrated Passover with his disciples.
Afterward, he introduced the Lord’s Supper as a way for them to remember him, known today as Holy Communion, or Eucharist.
Also, on this day, Jesus, as an act of humility, washed the feet of his disciples and said as he had looked after them this way, they should likewise look after each other.
After Jesus had finished washing the disciple’s feet, he told the disciples that one of them would betray him, but they all said no, that cannot be; Judas then quietly slipped out of the house.
The term ‘maundy’ is a shortened version of the Latin word ‘mandatum’, which means ‘command’. Maundy Thursday also symbolises the new commandment introduced by Jesus shortly before he died on the cross; to love one another.
He told them he was going away, to a place where they could not follow him.
He said, ‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.’(a)
John the Baptist called Jesus the Lamb of God. This photo of a lamb represents the innocence of Jesus, who willingly went like a lamb to the slaughter, to the cross; he offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins shortly after the Last Supper.
Maundy Thursday (also known as Holy Thursday) is the Thursday in Holy Week before Good Friday (the Friday before Easter). It is symbolic of the day before Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross (Good Friday) for the sins of the world.
(a)John 13:34-35 NRSV
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