The Mandatum Novum
The drama of Holy Week intensifies with each passing day. Today is Maundy Thursday, and if you’re like me, you may be curious about the origin of the term “Maundy.” It’s derived from the Latin word for “commandment” – mandatum. Maundy Thursday is the day that Jesus gave “a new commandment” – mandatum novum.
On Thursday of Holy Week, Jesus and His disciples gathered for the evening meal. Being fully aware of what the next few days would hold, His every action and word would be measured and intentional.
He began the evening by removing His outer garment and wrapping a towel around His waist. Then, taking a basin of water and quietly kneeling before each one of the disciples, Jesus gently washed and dried their feet.
These were the feet of twelve men who had walked many miles with Jesus, seen Him perform miracles, heard His claims to be God, and listened to countless hours of His teaching. And on this evening, there was more to learn.
When the last pair of feet was washed and dried, Jesus put His garment back on and joined the disciples. With the exception of a brief exchange with Peter, we can imagine that they may well have been silenced to see their Lord rise from His place at the table and perform the lowly task of a servant.
He then asked the disciples if they understood what He had just done for them. “You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:13-15)
The discussion that night was serious and weighty. There was confusing talk about betrayal, denial, Jesus going away and coming back, the Holy Spirit, a Vine and its branches, and death. There was much prayer. There were bread and wine - the institution of the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper.
But early in the evening, while the foot washing by Jesus was still fresh in the disciples’ minds, came the mandatum novum. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
Albert Einstein once said, “Example isn’t another way to teach, it’s the only way to teach.” Centuries after Jesus laid out His new commandment, Einstein articulated what Jesus demonstrated on that first Maundy Thursday.
Jesus exemplified what it meant to “love one another” – to humbly serve others. But His work wasn’t yet done. Full obedience to the new commandment wouldn’t happen on Maundy Thursday. The completing element of love – sacrifice – would be lived out by Jesus less than 24 hours later. With only hours left of His life, Jesus defined love by His service and His sacrifice. He taught by example.
Do you claim to follow Jesus? Do the people you claim to love see humble service and willing sacrifice as an expression of that love? Maundy Thursday is a day of opportunity for us to examine the validity of our claims and a day of reflection on the beautiful example of our Savior. Let us be found obedient to the mandatum novum: “Love one another.”
