“Maundy” comes from the Latin word mandatum, meaning “commandment.” This day remembers the Last Supper, where Jesus gave a new command to love one another as He has loved.
John 13:34–35; Luke 22:19–20
Maundy Thursday gets its name from the Latin word mandatum, meaning “commandment.” On this night, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, including Judas, showing that love takes the form of humble service. Then He gave a new commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you.” He broke bread and shared the cup, establishing communion as the new covenant sealed in His blood. This was not a suggestion; it was a command rooted in His own example. He commanded that we love not with words only, but with action.
True love serves the unlovable, forgives the betrayer, and puts others before self. You cannot love like this on your own strength. You need the love of Christ flowing through you. As you remember this night, ask yourself: are you loving others the way Jesus has loved you? Let His humility and sacrifice become the pattern for your relationships. Let His love transform how you treat everyone around you.
