The last week of Jesus’ life prior to his death is known as week is known as the Passion or Holy Week. This week is described in Matthew chapters 21-27 ; Mark chapters 11-15; Luke chapters 19-23; and John chapters 12-19. Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, known as the Last Supper. The word “Maundy” is derived from the Latin word for “command.” The “Maundy” in Maundy Thursday refers to the command Jesus gave to the disciples at the Last Supper, that they should love and serve one another just he had exemplified in washing their feet (John 13.3-17).
As Jesus served, Luke records in chapter 22, verse 24 of his gospel, that the disciples were busy arguing who the greatest in the kingdom is going to be. Walking in on King Jesus’ coattails, they assumed, had its privileges. If John 13 provides the picture, Philippians 2.1-7 provides the caption. Read it knowing we don’t follow it. I’ve re-written the passage to indicate how we normally live out this command: Make sure you speak your mind, you’re probably right, love when loved, be in of one mind, if it agrees with yours. Compete with one another, and make sure you have high-self esteem by recognizing the weaknesses of those around you. Let each of us seek for our own interests. Have this mind in you, which was not in Jesus but in his disciples, who though in the form of a broken men, counted equality with God something to aspire to, so they made themselves more important than everyone around them, taking the form of one who was to be served, making much of themselves, holding tight to their lives in this world that they might not lose their prominence in this world.
It is noteworthy that right after Jesus gave this command he said, “I am not speaking to all of you.’ That was when Judas left the room.
