Jeffrey Holton
  • Home
  • About
    • Resume
    • Sermons
    • Family Discipleship
    • Book Reviews
    • Philippines
  • Blog
  • Pictures
  • Contact
  • Archives

A PASTOR IN TRANSFORMATION

maundy  thursday

4/9/2020

0 Comments

 
When I tell people that today (the Thursday before Easter) is Maundy Thursday, I am usually met with a blank stare or a look of confusion and someone saying, "What is Monday Thursday?"    

The words Maundy Thursday are derived from the Latin phrase “Dies Mandatum” which means "The mandate" or more specifically “The day of the new commandment.”  This mandate or commandment is in reference to John 13:34 - 35 when Jesus tells his disciples, "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." (ESV).  

Today’s reading highlights the commandment or mandate that Jesus gave to His disciples in the upper room on the eve of His death. Traditionally, the Church observes this evening with a ceremonial foot washing service and concludes with a time of communion. Today, we will look at the events of this first Maundy Thursday to reflect on Christ’s death and prepare us to celebrate His resurrection for our justification on the first Easter Sunday.

Verse 34 - 35:   "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.” In this passage Jesus lays out his expectations to his followers for when He is gone.  In his commentary on John, D.A. Carson hits the nail on the head concerning the attainability of this new command, “The new command is simple enough for a toddler to memorize and appreciate, profound enough that the most mature believers are repeatedly embarrassed at how poorly they comprehend it and put it into practice.” Jesus’ command for the disciples is to love one another the way he loved them. We know Jesus showed his great love for his disciples in the foot washing ceremony but it wasn’t the washing of the feet that he was referring.  The foot washing points directly to the death of Jesus and the disciples would soon see the importance of loving each other in the manner that Jesus truly loved them.  He then tells them it is important for the disciples to love one another in this way. Through loving one another with a sacrificial and self-less love people will know that they belong to Him.

Essentially he is saying to all believers, you are going to be on display for the world to see and the manner in which you treat each other and love one another will speak volumes about who you follow. Love for one another needs to be the evidence that you are a disciple of Jesus. Jesus gives the disciples and us a life command and not one that they are to keep once and then move on… love must be displayed among them continually, so people will see we belong to Jesus.

Second century Christian author Tertullian writes about how the Pagans marveled at the love of the Christian fellowship, especially in times of intense persecution. He writes, “See how they love one another! ... How are they ready even to die for one another!” 

Conclusion
So, what does sacrificial love look like? We need only to look at Good Friday as a reminder of true sacrificial love.  We see this true love in Jesus as he willingly to laid down his life for his friends.   When we look at the cross of Jesus it wasn’t intended to make us feel good about ourselves. The cross of Christ is intended to bring glory to Jesus and to the Father and to give life to all who believe. The willingness and obedience of Jesus
going to Calvary speaks volumes as to his love and full commitment to his
people. The cross wasn’t an example of Christ’s love for us, it was the essence of
his love. The cross was Jesus’ love in action. We have heard the saying,
“Actions speak louder than words” and this is truly the case in Jesus Christ and the
cross. This is an awe-inspiring love, it is an unbelievable love, it is the kind of
love that is motivated and given by the Spirit so we can in turn love our brothers
and sisters in Christ as Jesus loved.




0 Comments



Leave a Reply.



    Picture
    Jeff has been in ministry for well over two decades. He currently serves as Campus Pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Southside Campus in Bradenton, Florida.

    Jeff Has authored an Advent Devotional (The Advent of Jesus) and a devotional on the book of James (James: Where Faith and Life Meet). Both are available on Amazon.

    He is married to Carrie and they have four children, Micaiah, Gabe, Simon, and Berea.
    Preview or purchase Jeff's Books






    RSS Feed

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

    Categories

    All

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About
    • Resume
    • Sermons
    • Family Discipleship
    • Book Reviews
    • Philippines
  • Blog
  • Pictures
  • Contact
  • Archives