This is a rather strange statement to many of us. Maundy Thursday refers to the ceremony of washing the feet of the poor. The word MANDATUM is where it comes from. It is found at the beginning of the prayer commemorating Jesus washing the disciples feet. Thursday, however had much more happening than that. It began in Bethany. This was the day of the Passover meal. Jesus and the disciples would observe the Passover in a room prepared for them. In John's Gospel you can read (John 13:1-20) a beautiful story of humility he taught. It is then he washes the feet of His disciples. It is also here that Jesus points out His betrayer. Judas leaves. Jesus introduces in simplicity what we call "The Lord's Supper". The bread and wine symbolize his body and blood about to be offered for the sins of the world.
It is evening time. He brings to them the farewell discourse. You can find it in John 14 through 17. It begins in the upper room and ends on the Mount of Olives. Many would say the "real" Lord's Prayer is chapter 17 of John.
The last event of this last day before His death is His experience in the Garden of Gethsemane. This was a garden of olive trees. While He agonizes in prayer the men sleep. He asked them: "What, could you not watch with me one hour?". Later He would say to his sleepy friends "Sleep on now and take your rest. The hour is at hand and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners". Even as Jesus spoke He could see the torches and soldiers with his lost disciple, Judas, out in front, coming to plant the betrayal kiss on the Son of God.It was now about midnight or perhaps a little later. Thursday is done. The trial begins.
