For the longest time, Maundy Thursday has been a Family Day in my home church. While other churches re-enact what happened thousands of years ago, we make time for kindred souls (adults and children alike) to bond, get to know each other, in a place where we share the same food, enjoy the same place, and worship the same God, Jesus.
We begin with a thanksgiving service which includes songs of praise, exhortation, and testimonies.
Then the kids, and kids at heart, splash down the swimming pool while the adults play games, sing songs, or chat, committing to help and pray for one another.
But what exactly is Maundy Thursday?
This was explained (to remind us anew) by son #3 in his exhortation. “Maundy” is a shortened form of the Latin Mandatum, meaning “mandate” or “command.”
It was on the Thursday of Christ's final week before His crucifixion that He mandated a commandment to His disciples after breaking bread (the Last Supper) with them.
Jesus’ command was a poignant statement while he did the unthinkable: wash his disciples’ feet. It was about radical humility and servanthood.
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. (John 13:34 NLT).
He raised love to the highest level: love even the unlovable and forgive them of their wrongdoing. The tallest order ever for man!
So our family day is a way for us to get to know our brethren more intimately so we can guide each other in our spiritual walk. It is a day to demonstrate to the children that family means: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, and all believers who are adopted children of God.
”I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” (John 17:23)
All photos boirrowed from Pilar Village Gospel Church brethren.
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