Maundy Thursday Morning Chapel

John 13:1, 34-35

This morning. We gathered for confession and individual absolution.   It is a powerful beginning. To the three days of Maundy Thursday. Good Friday. And Easter Vigil.

This Thursday before Easter — The night before Jesus’ death — We remember Jesus wearing a servant’s apron. And washing his disciples’ feet. Giving the command. To love one another. 

It is also on this night. Where Jesus promises, “this is my body and blood.” The radical newness in Jesus’ command to his disciples. To participate in the Eucharist. 

This is also a night of garden prayer. And betrayal. With swords and clubs. And disciples. Who ran away in fear. Today. We make all these things a very big deal. Because. This is! A very big deal.

The name “Maundy Thursday.“ Comes from the Latin word mandatum.  “Mon-da-dum” Meaning “Commandment.” And the commandment Jesus has given us is this. - That you love one another. 

When Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. [Jesus said to them,]”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 love for one another.” John 13:1, 34-35

To be a teacher. Means you have to love school. Your teachers. Not only did they have to learn to teach things like reading. History. Science. And math. They also had to learn things like, “The Learning  Pyramid.”  And “The average student retention rate.” – Which simply says. That the best way of knowing that you get it. – Is not just by reading. Or hearing.  Or even practice.  Or doing.

But the best way. To measure that you have learned something. Is “to teach others.” And this Jesus has done. ”A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another.”

No matter what. Jesus is the center of everything. In your life. In your family. At your school. Jesus is at the center of everything. And this He has commanded us to do. – Love one another.  

Love at all times. Even when it is hard to do so.  We love. At all times. Because love covers sins! And that’s what these three days – Maundy Thursday. Good Friday. And Easter are all about.  Because God is love. And love removes sin!

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13 And how did Jesus express that love? He loved by doing. He went to the cross. To offer you forgiveness and life.

The night in which He was betrayed. Right before the Shepherd laid down His life for sheep who love to wander. Jesus gave each of His disciples a personal token and sign. That what He was about to do was for them. 

He gave them of His body to eat. And His blood to drink. With their very own mouth. 

They each ate the body. Which was about to be given over to arrest. Trial. And crucifixion. 

They each drank the blood. Which was about to drip throughout the streets of Jerusalem. And pour forth from the cross.

And He told them. To keep doing it. "Do this, as oft as ye do it, in remembrance of Me."

What moved Jesus to do such things? Love pure and simple. Look to Good Friday. Count your blessings every day. The best of which is your inheritance. Ushered into the world in Christ. Purchased for you on Good Friday on Calvary. And sealed to you by your Savior’s resurrection from the grave. ”A new commandment I give to you…’ Says Jesus. “That you love one another.”

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