Maundy Thursday Sermon: Love at the Table

Scripture: John 13:1–17; Matthew 26:26–30 WEB

John 13:1-17 WEB
Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. [2] During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, [3] Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God and was going to God, [4] arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around his waist. [5] Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. [6] Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” [7] Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.” [8] Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.” [9] Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” [10] Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” [11] For he knew him who would betray him; therefore he said, “You are not all clean.” [12] So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? [13] You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. [14] If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. [15] For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you. [16] Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither is one who is sent greater than he who sent him. [17] If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

Matthew 26:26-30 WEB
As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” [27] He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it, [28] for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins. [29] But I tell you that I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” [30] When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

On this night, we gather in the upper room with Jesus and His disciples. It is the eve of His suffering, and He knows it. “Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father.” These are His final moments before arrest, and how does He spend them? Not in fear, not in hiding, not even in preaching—but in love. In service. In fellowship.

Maundy Thursday—“Maundy” from the Latin mandatum, meaning “commandment”—is the night Jesus gives a new command: “Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” And how does He show that love? By kneeling at the feet of His disciples, one by one, and washing them clean.

It is a startling act. The Teacher becomes the servant. The Lord of heaven bends to wash the dust from calloused toes and worn heels. Peter resists, confused and embarrassed. But Jesus insists: “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.” In these humble waters, Jesus reveals the heart of the gospel. Before we can follow Him, we must let Him serve us. Before we can be made clean, we must let Him cleanse us.

This is not merely an example—it is a moment of deep spiritual significance. The washing of feet is symbolic of the greater cleansing He will offer the world on the cross. He humbles Himself now with basin and towel, just as He will humble Himself on the cross with nails and thorns.

And then, as the meal begins, Jesus takes bread. He blesses it. He breaks it. He gives it. “Take and eat; this is My body.” He takes the cup: “Drink of it, all of you, for this is My blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

The Last Supper is not just a farewell—it is a sacrament. It is the institution of communion, where Christ gives Himself fully and forever. The bread and the cup are not just symbols; they are invitations. “Do this in remembrance of Me.” In remembering, we receive. In partaking, we proclaim His death—and His grace.

What does Maundy Thursday mean for us?

First, it means we are called to receive His love. Before we can serve others, before we can walk the road of discipleship, we must let Jesus wash us. We must come to Him with humility and trust, allowing Him to cleanse the parts of us we’d rather hide.

Second, it means we are called to love like Jesus. “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” This is more than an act of kindness—it is a way of life. Servant-hearted, sacrificial, joyful love. Love that stoops. Love that forgives. Love that keeps showing up, even when it’s hard.

Finally, it means we are called to remember. Every time we break bread and share the cup, we enter the mystery of Christ’s passion. We proclaim His death. We touch His mercy. And we remember that we are one body—united by grace, shaped by love, sustained by the Spirit.

Maundy Thursday is quiet. It is sacred. The shadows are growing longer, but the light of Christ’s love shines more brightly than ever. He gives Himself, fully and freely. Not because we are worthy, but because He is love.

Application: Take time today to receive Jesus’ love again. Let Him wash the parts of you that feel too tired, too broken, too ashamed. Then ask: Whose feet can I wash? How can I show humble, tangible love to someone around me? Tonight, let Christ’s command to love become your call to action.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You knelt at the feet of Your friends and served them in love. You took the bread and the cup and offered Yourself for the world. Teach me to receive Your love with open hands. Cleanse me, feed me, and send me to serve. Make my life a reflection of Your grace. Amen.

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