Random thoughts swirl on this day of commemoration of the Lord’s last supper with His disciples before His crucifixion. I realized this morning that I had no idea why the day is called “Maundy Thursday,” just that it is. A little research reveals the word Maundy comes from the Latin word “command.” It refers to the command or commandment Jesus gave His followers to “Love one another as I have loved you.” During the supper He expressed His love would be shown in the sacrifice of His body and the spilling of His blood for them. Going further He demonstrated that love by washing their feet as a servant would, giving them and us a model of what love looks like in practice. Sadly, neither the Lord’s Supper nor the foot-washing ritual will be observed in most Christian congregations this year. The COVID-19 virus and prohibitions it has caused will prevent the observance. What the pandemic cannot prevent however is the spirit inherent in the observance. Maundy Thursday calls us to remember Jesus’ commandment. We don’t have to be at a service in a particular place to love each other as He loves us; to serve others as He would want us to; to demonstrate that “Jesus love” is shown in our actions; that our love of Him is manifested in our obedience to Him.
There is no segue from those thoughts to the next. I began by saying my thoughts are random. Some days are like that. Today is one of those days.
The closing question in today’s Interruptions lesson is “What does Jesus want to tell us today?” I had scribbled my answers three years ago at the bottom of the page. As I read them, I was struck by the fact that they are as relevant today as then. I’ll list them so that you can see that irrespective of time, Jesus’ message is timeless. 1-To not be afraid of life-threatening circumstances 2- To recognize He is still alive 3- That He is in control even if it seems He isn’t and 4- That we are to press on. Three years ago as my family grappled with the reality of my son’s hemorrhagic stroke, those were the things I felt Jesus wanted to tell me. Today as the nation and the world grapple with the threat of the coronavirus, I think He’s repeating Himself. His message remains; we are wise to recognize it in moments when we most need Him, moments like today. Three years ago as I drove one day to the nursing home to see Q, an 18 foot wheeler crossed the intersection in front of me. On the sparkling white panel of that huge truck, in blazing red was written a single word, JESUS. No company logo identified the vehicle. It came from a side street and before my eyes disappeared onto the interstate. In that brief encounter, I drove on knowing that Jesus had spoken; that He was assuring me that in a season when I most needed Him, He was there. I believe the same today. The battle continues. Our engagement may last a while. But Jesus in this interruption caused by a pandemic is still passing by at the intersections of our lives; still bringing hope; still comforting. His faithfulness is forever.
Love. Joy. Peace.
Praise God for continuing to remind us that everything regardless of what’s happening is still about what Jesus did on the cross. Love for our Creator and Lord and King Jesus. To God be All the Glory!!