A day to remember

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet." John 13.14

Today is Maundy Thursday. "Maundy" is derived from the Latin word "mandatum" which means "command" and it relates to the various instructions Jesus gave over the last meal he shared with his disciples. Before the meal he removed his outer garments and washed his disciples feet, both as a gesture of service and as an example to follow. During it he reinterpreted the ancient Passover ritual, commemorating God's saving of Israel from slavery through Moses, so that it became a celebration of God's saving of the whole world from sin and death through his own suffering and death, to be remembered through the breaking of bread together and the sharing of a cup of wine. Then after the meal he led the disciples into the Garden of Gethsemane and commanded them to pray with him.

Set aside some time today to serve somebody. Before or after a meal break bread and share wine. Round it off with intercessory prayer for the needs of the world, as a sacrifice of gratitude to God and as a commitment to obey Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit...