Most Christians are aware of Good Friday and Easter Holiday.
However, very few observe or know much about Maundy Thursday.
According to Wikipedia, Maundy (Holy) Thursday is also known as Holy Thursday or the Great and Holy Thursday.
In some countries, they know it as Covenant Thursday, Holy and Great Thursday, or the Thursday of Mysteries.
Many Christians know it as the Last Supper for Jesus before His death.
We observe the Last Supper of Jesus Christ on the last day of the Holy Week.
It is preceded by the Holy Wednesday and then followed by Good Friday.
What is Christian Holiday Maundy Thursday?
We commonly know maundy Thursday as the Holy Thursday or the Last Supper.
It is a festival observed in Western and Eastern churches.
Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter.
It is the day Jesus celebrated the final Passover (Last Supper) with the disciples.
Also, it is the Passover meal when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples.
Christians learn a lot of things about Maundy Thursday.
Jesus commanded the disciples to do what He did during the Last Supper.
Jesus commands His disciples to “Love one another as I loved you. "
It reflects what Jesus said “I give you a New Commandment”
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.
What does Maundy mean?
The Last Supper is a feast commonly known as Maundy Thursday.
Maundy is from a Latin word that means Mandatum or Commandment.
It also means “ceremony of washing the feet of the poor,”
This commemorates Jesus washing the disciples’ feet on Maundy Thursday.
The Maundy comes from an old French Mande that means “Mandate or Command”
When is Maundy Thursday celebrated?
Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter.
The holiday falls between March 19th and April 22nd.
Maundy Thursday starts the period that commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
This period includes Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and ends on Easter Sunday.
Why is Maundy Thursday as known as the Last Supper?
Many Christians commonly know the Last Supper as maundy Thursday.
We know it as the last supper because it is the last meal Jesus shared with the disciples before his arrest.
They gathered around a table for supper (bread and wine).
Jesus gave them His body (symbolized as Bread) and His blood (symbolized as Wine) for the salvation of humanity.
Which holiday was Jesus observing on Maundy Thursday?
Jesus and His disciples were observing the Passover.
Passover is a Jewish holiday commemorating the exodus of the Jews from Egypt.
We also known the feast as the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
The Israelites left Egypt in a hurry and they had no time for the bread to rise.
What is the significance of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet?
During the Last Supper, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples.
It is a simple act that has a lot of meaning to His disciples and all Christians.
For Jesus, washing the disciples’ feet was a show of humility.
Jesus also showed His servant hood to humanity.
For the disciples, the washing of their feet was in contrast to their attitudes.
They did not believe Jesus, who was their teacher, could do such a thing.
For Christians, washing disciple’s feet is symbolic of Christians in the body of Jesus Christ.
How is Maundy Thursday celebrated?
Many churches across the world hold Maundy Thursday services.
However, church services do not have any specific order or set way for the day.
Some services and rituals performed during the Maundy Thursday include:
Western Christianity
Communion service - Several churches hold a service to celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
Christians who have been baptized and believe Jesus loves them eat the bread and drink the cup.
Some churches, such as Anglican, Methodist, Eastern Catholic, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic washing of feet, may be performed.
Chrism Mass–This is a known service commonly held in Roman Catholicism, Anglicanism, and Lutheranism.
They normally hold this mass in the morning of Maundy Thursday.
It is one of the largest yearly gatherings of clergy held in various dioceses.
Those who are present renew their baptism promises, and priests and deacons renew the promises they made at the ordination.
Eastern Christianity
The Eastern Orthodox Church Christians wear brighter colors during Maundy (Holy) Thursday.
Also, the fast is relaxed to allow people to drink wine and eat bread.
There is also a special service where they read the Gospel of the Testament.
At the beginning of the Holy and Great Thursday, any memorial service of the dead is forbidden.
What do you wear on Maundy Thursday?
White is the primary color used on all feasts of the Lord.
In Eastern Orthodox Church, people attending church services on Maundy wear bright colors.
However, some wear purple during the Holy Week until the church is stripped bare during Maundy Thursday.
Does Maundy Thursday have a dark side?
Maundy Thursday is a feast celebrated by many Christians all over the world.
But it is a festival with a dark side. During the Last Supper, Jesus foretells his death.
It is during the meal that He says, “One of my disciples will betray me”.
John 13:21 - After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.”
Summary
Maundy Thursday is a Christian holiday observed by many Christians all over the world.
We commonly know it as the Last Supper. It is the day that Jesus ate the last supper with His disciples. He also washed the feet of His disciples.
He also took bread (symbolizing His body) and wine (symbolizing His blood) and gave it to His disciples.
Then He asked the disciples to do it in His remembrance.
Luke 22:19 - And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”