What is Maundy?

This is the week of the year that we hear terms thrown around like … Holy Week, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and of course Easter Sunday. I hate to admit it, but prior to researching the word, “Maundy,” I did not know what that word meant. Do you?

As I have researched the word, I discovered that some theorize that the word originated in the English language from the "maundsor" baskets that were used by the King of England to distribute alms to the poor. It also appears that the English word for “maundy” is possibly connected with the Latin word “mendicare,” and the French word “mendier” which means “to beg.”

Traditionally, Maundy Thursday is observed by believers through remembering Jesus’ Last Supper and possibly even participating in a ceremonial washing of the soles of feet to remember Jesus act of love to his closest friends following their last meal together prior to the cross. The Bible records that when Jesus turned to Peter. Peter protested by saying, “No … you will never ever wash my feet.” Jesus response to Peter was “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me” (John 13:8 NLT).

Peter (like some of us) struggled with accepting the gift from another person. Possibly, Peter felt unworthy to accept this act of kindness or possibly it was difficult for Peter to see Jesus perform such a humbling act of service. And yet Jesus taught that being in a relationship with God includes humbly accepting His gifts in our lives.

Learning to receive Christ’s gifts of forgiveness, mercy, and grace requires the believer to accept the role of a beggar receiving gifts that are not deserved. Have you humbly accepted the gifts of grace that God wants to pour into your life? Or are you like Peter struggling to admit that you need Jesus to meet a need that you cannot meet for yourself?

If you have humbly received salvation in Christ, are you sharing this good news with others? It has been said that sharing good news with others (which is sometimes called evangelism) is simply “one beggar telling another beggar where there is help.” On this “Maundy Thursday” let’s share with others the good news that Jesus is still in the business of cleansing “the souls” of human beings!