Scripture for Today: John 13:34 “A new commandment I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

This beautiful carving of the Last Supper can be seen at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. This impressive Gothic-style cathedral is a commanding presence on the Rhine River and can boast being the tallest twin-spired church in the world! This carving is part of an arch depicting many biblical scenes. Today is Maundy Thursday which commemorates Christ’s final Passover and Last Supper before Easter. Maundy is from the Latin, “madatum,” meaning command.

Today’s verse is a new commandment Christ gave us on this very day. It was a busy one as this was also the day when Jesus showed His love for His disciples by washing their feet (John 13: 1-17). He loved them to the very end (verse 1). As Jesus shared His last meal with them, He established the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper or communion as a visual reminder of the sacrifice He was about to make. His love was a sacrificial one and He commands that His followers have that same kind of love for each other.

There are many churches that mark this day with observances that mirror Christ’s own; washing feet and taking the Lord’s Supper. It is a solemn moment as I approach that fateful and pivotal day of crucifixion. It helps me to ready my heart for Good Friday. But perhaps an even more meaningful way to mark this day is for me to obey this command of love. Not only today but everyday, He wants me to show the world that I am His disciple through the way I love (verse 35). With my selfish heart, I find it one of the harder commands to follow.

Lord, I need Your help to love like You do!