Easter, Part 1 of 3

This week is typically known as Holy Week, or Easter Week.  Most people attend a church service on Sunday morning, and many go to a Good Friday service as well.  Not as many people attend Maundy Thursday services.  You may have heard the term Maundy Thursday before, and like me, you never really knew what it meant.  I always assumed it was just another term for the day before Good Friday.  Well, I did a little research, and here is what I found out.

Maundy is "Derived from the Latin word mandatum, meaning 'commandment,' Maundy refers to the commands Jesus gave his disciples at the Last Supper:  to love with humility by serving one another and to remember his sacrifice."

The first part, loving with humility, was shown through Jesus washing His disciples feet before the Last Supper.  (John 13)  Churches that hold Maundy Thursday services often have foot washing as part of the service.  The second part, remembering His sacrifice, is done through communion.  Taking part in communion does not save anyone, but it is a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice for us on the cross.

I hope you have a better understanding of what Maundy Thursday is now!

http://christianity.about.com/od/easter/qt/maundythursday.htm