Maundy Thursday is an important day for churches around the world. The Gospel accounts present us with an accurate timeline for the last week of Jesus’ life. On Sunday, which we celebrate as Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, just as the Old Testament Scriptures prophesied (see Zechariah 9:9). From Monday to Wednesday, Jesus taught the people who had come for the big festival in the temple (Luke 19:45-22:6). The Jewish religious leaders tried to trick him into making a mistake so that they could capitalize on it and arrest Him. They wanted to kill Jesus but were afraid of the crowds who hung on Jesus’ every word. Eventually, Judas offered to betray Jesus to His opponents in a private place (Luke 22:1-6). As Judas waited for the opportune time, we come to Thursday, which we celebrate as Maundy Thursday.
Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum and means “commandment.” This comes from Jesus’ words in John 13:34 where He states, “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” When we humble ourselves and wash another’s feet, we follow in the footsteps of Jesus and put others before ourselves. And so we obey His commandment to love one another.
Below are some resources for building your own Maundy Thursday service where you are. You can commemorate this beautiful night by yourself or with others. You can include communion (even bake your own bread!) or have a simple Seder Meal (the Jewish Passover meal), light candles, create prayer stations, and sing. There are many options below.
Maundy Thursday Prayer Stations for Families
Maundy Thursday Prayer Stations for Individuals
A Simple Maundy Thursday Service by Chalmers Presbyterian Church, London UK
Maundy Thursday at Home by Wendy Claire Barrie