A Maundy Thursday devotional takes us to the upper room. In John 13:34-35 (ESV), on the night before his death, Jesus gives a new commandment: love one another the way he has loved them. Our love for each other is how the world will recognize us as his followers (John 13:35). His love becomes the measure of ours.
Key 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.” (John 13:34, ESV)
The Passover Setting
Jesus’ last supper with his disciples took place during Passover, the feast that remembered Israel’s rescue from slavery in Egypt. Families ate lamb, flat bread and bitter herbs while retelling the story of the night the LORD brought them out. Every element pointed back to deliverance.
John’s Gospel sets this scene with care. He tells us Jesus knew the time had come for him to return to the Father, and that he loved his disciples completely. Judas had already decided to betray him. The disciples were still arguing about greatness. In that room, Jesus took the place of a servant and then gave his new commandment, connecting the old story of rescue to the new one he was about to complete.
The Night Before the Cross
On Thursday evening of Holy Week, Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples. He took bread and wine and gave them new meaning as his body and blood. He also did something shocking: he wrapped a towel around his waist and washed his disciples’ feet, the task of the lowest servant.
The name Maundy comes from the Latin word for commandment, pointing to the new commandment Jesus gave that night.
What Makes It New?
Love for neighbor was already in the law. What was new was the standard: love the way Jesus loves. Jesus’ love was humble, serving, patient, and sacrificial. Within hours, he would lay down his life. That is the kind of love he calls us to show one another.
Notice that Jesus washed the feet of Judas, his betrayer, and Peter, who would deny him. His love did not wait for others to deserve it.
Love as Our Witness
Jesus said people would recognize his disciples by their love for one another. Not by perfect doctrine alone, impressive buildings, or political influence, but by love. When believers forgive, serve, and care for each other across differences, the world sees something of Jesus.
Sadly, Christians have often failed here. Maundy Thursday is a time for repentance and fresh commitment.
Loving Like Jesus Today
Loving as Jesus loved may mean serving in unseen ways, reconciling with a fellow believer, bearing with someone’s weaknesses, or meeting a practical need. If you take communion tonight, remember his body given and his blood poured out, and let that love shape how you treat others.
Washing Feet in Modern Ways
Few of us will literally wash someone’s feet, but the call to humble love is just as practical today. It might look like cleaning the church kitchen after an event, driving an elderly member to a doctor’s appointment, or listening patiently to a fellow believer who frustrates you. It often means doing the unnoticed task no one will thank you for.
Choose one person in your church family and one concrete act of service this week. Do it quietly. As you serve, remember that Jesus served you first, knowing every failure in advance. Love that flows from his love is the clearest sign to the watching world that we belong to him.
Today, Try This
Do one humble act of service for a fellow believer today, the kind of task no one else wants, as a way of following Jesus’ example.
Reflection Question
Who in your church family is hardest for you to love, and what would loving them as Jesus loves you look like?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, on the evening you were betrayed, you washed your disciples’ feet and commanded us to love. Thank you for loving me first. Help me love others as you have loved me, humbly, sacrificially, and patiently, so the world may know I am yours. Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maundy Thursday?
Maundy Thursday is the Thursday of Holy Week, remembering the Last Supper, Jesus washing his disciples’ feet, and his new commandment to love one another. In 2027, it falls on March 25.
Why is it called Maundy Thursday?
The name comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning commandment, referring to the new commandment Jesus gave in John 13:34 (ESV) to love one another as he has loved us.
What is new about the new commandment?
Love for neighbor appears in the Old Testament, but Jesus gave a new standard: love one another the way he loved us. His humble, sacrificial love, displayed at the cross, defines how believers should love.
Keep Reading
- Explore more: Gospel of John study
- Read more daily devotionals
- The narrow way: what the narrow gate means (Matthew 7:13-14)
- Related: read: Lamb of God Devotional
- Related: Devotional on Serving Others (devotional)
- Related: Devotional on Servant Leadership: Mark 10:43-44
- Related: Devotional on Welcoming Others: Romans 15:7
- Related: What Is Lent? Meaning, Dates and Bible Basis
- Bible Verses About Easter