The Command Of Maundy Thursday... Love

 Today... Maundy Thursday. When Jesus met with His disciples for the last meal, the last supper, passover.

A night heavy with grief to come. Grief that only Jesus understood. A night filled with Jesus love, betrayal by a follower, others would scatter, deny and cry out, in fear and grief.

Through the cross Jesus exhibited perfect love, confidence, humility, a path to follow. 

Forgiveness - forever.

 Perfect Love, Forgiveness, by going to the cross, for us. He, who was without sin, paid our sin. We celebrate this everyday, but this week we remember what it took for Jesus to do this.

In Matthew Jesus shared, "My soul is crushed with grief, to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me." speaking to James and John.

He prays, 

"My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet, I want your will to be done, not mine."

Read these words with awe... of the One who paid our price. He knew it would be horrific, both in pain and in separation from God. God would not be able to look on the sin of the world, that would be placed on His Son's shoulders.

Jesus had confidence in His Fathers will. He prays, "My Father, if this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, Your will be done."  

Jesus knew that He was given all authority and would soon return to the Father.

 

Jesus bowed in humility at the Disciples feet, as He washed them. John 13:4-5 "So He (Jesus) got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples feet, drying them with the towel He had around Him."

 

John chapters 13 though 17 are red inked with Christ's words to us... a path to follow.

 In those chapters, shortly before His death Jesus explains... Jesus is The Way, to the Father (14), the promise of the Holy Spirit (14), Jesus is the True Vine (15), the worlds hatred of us, because of Him (15), the work of the Holy Spirit (16)  

"And this is the way to have eternal life-to know You, the only True God, and Jesus Christ, the One You sent to earth. I brought glory to You here on earth by completing the work You gave me to do. Now Father, bring Me into the glory we shared before the world began." (17:3-5)

The end of Jesus prayer in John 17:25-26, "O Righteous Father, the world doesn't know You, but I do; and these disciples know you sent Me. I have revealed You to them, and I will continue to do so. Then Your love for Me will be in them, and I will be in them."

Maundy... Latin for command. Today is a day we are given a command.

In John 13 Jesus says, "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."

We need not suffer as the disciples. We can read the Word, enjoy the Holy Spirit and live in the light of it!

Have you read the scriptures this Holy Week?

Read God's word.... His Pure, Precious, Holy, Clear, Perfect Word. Drink it deep into your heart and see Him with fresh eyes this Easter...

and follow His commands... to love one another.

If we do not do this... does the love of the Father truly live in us?