Tomorrow is Good Friday. Today is a lesser-known day called Maundy Thursday—not “Monday” but “Maundy.”

The word “Maundy” comes from Jesus’ words in John 13:34. Although he spoke Aramaic, the oldest record of his words are in Greek. Those words have been translated into many languages, including Latin. “Mandatum novum” is the Latin wording for “new commandment.” Here’s the entire verse: “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.”

When you read the story in John’s Gospel, you discover that Jesus didn’t just say things—he lived them out. He demonstrated what he meant. And just before he gave the commandment to love one another, he washed his disciples’ feet. Think of that for a second. The Son of God—the Saviour of the world—stooped down and washed the dirty feet of his friends. 

Here’s today’s focus. Among the disciples was Judas Iscariot, the man who betrayed him. The man who Jesus KNEW would betray him. Despite that knowledge, Jesus knelt down and washed Judas’ feet.

There’s a lot that could be said about this, but today let me simply offer this one thought: If Jesus can love Judas and wash his feet, you can love and serve the people you don’t even like.

Today is Maundy Thursday. Don’t just go through the motions. Jesus is walking toward the cross. And he leaves behind him a wake of love. So can you.

Regardless of how we feel about the people we meet, let’s heed Jesus’ new commandment and love one another—not just when we want to, but when we don’t.

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Notes:

-A version of this devotional first appeared on April 13, 2017.
-Bible quotes are from the ESV.