Maundy Thursday
The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin word “mandatum.” This Latin word is also where the English word “mandate” originates. Mandates are considered non-optional. Maundy is an entirely separate English word though. Maundy is the ceremony of washing the feet of the poor. Two words, from the same origin point, have two entirely distinct meanings. This occasionally happens in English, but it still is rare. Usually, it happens because a word has a cultural definition that has changed over time. This is true of these two words.
Maundy used to mean “commandment-like” and was fitting given as the adjective to Thursday of Holy Week. The church kept this title and started observing a ritual of cleansing each other’s feet, and mainly washing the feet of the poor or lower class. This ceremony follows in Jesus’ actions, gracefully humbled the members of the church, and served the members of the community who would not usually receive service. Over time, Maundy Thursday became synonymous with feet washing, and eventually, maundy came to refer to the ritual of foot washing in the Christian church.
In John 13:1-20, Jesus begins to prepare his disciples for the Passover meal, which would soon become one of the most iconic and essential meals in history. The first thing He did when He and the disciples entered the house was remove His outer layer of clothes, wrap a towel around Himself, and set to wash the disciples’ feet. During the time, it was customary to wash feet whenever entering into a home. Lower to middle-class households would provide a basin of water, and each man would wash his own feet as he came to the house. Amongst wealthy families, a servant would usually be offered to wash the feet of the guest. This servant was considered the lowest and most insignificant servant in the house, by the homeowner, guests, and other servants alike. Rarely a servant was anticipated. It was commonplace for men to wash their own feet.
As Jesus grabbed the water basin, He presented Himself as a humble, lowly servant to His followers. As He washed the disciples' feet, there is no objection, except Simon Peter. Peter emphatically tells Jesus that he will not allow Him to wash his feet. “If I do not wash you, you have no part in Me,” Jesus says. Peter then begs The Lord to wash not just his feet, but everything. In a reasonably evident fashion, Jesus is alluding to His death and how His blood will wash away the sins of man. Even if Peter’s response referred only to a physical washing, the enthusiasm is not something to be ignored.
How often do we refuse Jesus to wash our feet? Often, sins are hidden from each other, and we attempt to shield them from God, as though what was done is too hideous to be sanctified. If we allow Jesus to wash our feet, do we stop there? God wants not just a part of us but all of us. If our Christ-like attitude is left inside the steeple, what good are we to The Kingdom? In verse 10 Jesus tells us that whoever washes his feet will be completely clean, but what a joy there is in being wiped clean. Do we have the same heart-wrenching desire to be a part of Jesus that Peter did? Jesus washed away our sins; we should bathe in the blood that makes us righteous, and not just get our feet wet.
Maundy used to mean “commandment-like” and was fitting given as the adjective to Thursday of Holy Week. The church kept this title and started observing a ritual of cleansing each other’s feet, and mainly washing the feet of the poor or lower class. This ceremony follows in Jesus’ actions, gracefully humbled the members of the church, and served the members of the community who would not usually receive service. Over time, Maundy Thursday became synonymous with feet washing, and eventually, maundy came to refer to the ritual of foot washing in the Christian church.In John 13:1-20, Jesus begins to prepare his disciples for the Passover meal, which would soon become one of the most iconic and essential meals in history. The first thing He did when He and the disciples entered the house was remove His outer layer of clothes, wrap a towel around Himself, and set to wash the disciples’ feet. During the time, it was customary to wash feet whenever entering into a home. Lower to middle-class households would provide a basin of water, and each man would wash his own feet as he came to the house. Amongst wealthy families, a servant would usually be offered to wash the feet of the guest. This servant was considered the lowest and most insignificant servant in the house, by the homeowner, guests, and other servants alike. Rarely a servant was anticipated. It was commonplace for men to wash their own feet.
As Jesus grabbed the water basin, He presented Himself as a humble, lowly servant to His followers. As He washed the disciples' feet, there is no objection, except Simon Peter. Peter emphatically tells Jesus that he will not allow Him to wash his feet. “If I do not wash you, you have no part in Me,” Jesus says. Peter then begs The Lord to wash not just his feet, but everything. In a reasonably evident fashion, Jesus is alluding to His death and how His blood will wash away the sins of man. Even if Peter’s response referred only to a physical washing, the enthusiasm is not something to be ignored.
How often do we refuse Jesus to wash our feet? Often, sins are hidden from each other, and we attempt to shield them from God, as though what was done is too hideous to be sanctified. If we allow Jesus to wash our feet, do we stop there? God wants not just a part of us but all of us. If our Christ-like attitude is left inside the steeple, what good are we to The Kingdom? In verse 10 Jesus tells us that whoever washes his feet will be completely clean, but what a joy there is in being wiped clean. Do we have the same heart-wrenching desire to be a part of Jesus that Peter did? Jesus washed away our sins; we should bathe in the blood that makes us righteous, and not just get our feet wet.
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