Maundy Thursday: The Last Supper and Christ’s Model of Sacrificial Love
“Let all that you do be done in love.”
— 1 Corinthians 16:14 (ESV)
As Holy Week draws us toward the cross and the empty tomb, Thursday marks a sacred pause—a moment we call Maundy Thursday, the day we remember The Last Supper. It’s here, in an upper room in Jerusalem, that Jesus shared a final, intimate meal with His disciples. But this wasn’t just dinner, it was a divine demonstration of sacrificial love.
The Meaning of Maundy Thursday
“Maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning “command.” It points to Jesus’ words in John 13:34: “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.” This is an example of sacrificial love.
In that upper room, Jesus:
- Washed His disciples’ feet, taking the posture of a servant.
- Shared bread and wine, instituting the Lord’s Supper as a lasting remembrance of His body and blood.
- Prepared His followers for the pain and purpose of what was to come, showing sacrificial love.
This day is a turning point—not only in Holy Week, but in human history. It was a sacred preview of the Cross, where Jesus would pour Himself out fully for us.
The Last Supper: A Portrait of Sacrificial Love
As the bread was broken and the cup passed, Jesus didn’t simply teach a lesson—He embodied sacrificial love. Knowing betrayal was near and suffering awaited, He still chose to love: to serve, to comfort, to speak truth, and to give Himself completely.
That kind of love is what Paul echoes in 1 Corinthians 16:14: “Let all that you do be done in love.”
It’s a love that:
- Forgives even when wronged
- Serves even when weary
- Hopes even when hearts are heavy
- Gives even when it costs everything, embodying the essence of sacrificial love.
This is the love we’re called to embody—not just on Maundy Thursday, but daily. Whether you’re preparing meals, encouraging a friend, helping a neighbor, or wrestling in prayer—let all that you do be done in love.
Holy Week Reflections for Today
As we reflect on the meaning of Maundy Thursday, let’s ask ourselves:
- Am I living a life marked by sacrificial love?
- Do I serve those around me with humility?
- Can I love even when it hurts?
As we remember Jesus’ humility and love at the Last Supper, may our hearts be stirred to live faith fearlessly anchored in His truth and guided by His example. With Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday on the horizon, let’s lean in closer to His heart, embracing the depth of His sacrifice and the hope of His resurrection.
Lord Jesus, thank You for the love You poured out at the Last Supper and on the Cross. Teach me to love as You have loved—to serve with humility, to forgive freely, and to live sacrificially. May all that I do be done in love, just as You have shown me. Amen.
For more like this read my post, Faith Over Fear: Sharing the Hope of Easter Boldly.
Looking to reflect more deeply on each step of Jesus’ journey to the cross? Explore, Holy Week Devotional: A Sacred Journey Through the Cross to Resurrection, for daily reflections through this sacred week.
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