The New Command

On Maundy Thursday we celebrated that last Supper that Jesus shared with his disciples. We call it “maundy” from the Latin term “mandatum” which means mandate. It refers to the new command that Jesus gave to his disciples on that night: to love one another as he has loved them. As he has loved us.What does that look like?Shortly after Jesus death and resurrection we see a picture of this in Acts 2:42-47'They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.'The believers shared everything in common, gave to people who had need, and met together daily.They broke bread together, prayed together, and dedicated themselves to the teachings of the apostles. And the Church grew!On Maundy Thursday the Apostles were instructed to love one another as Jesus loved them. What does that mean? How did Jesus love them? Two examples stand out. First, on that night Jesus ate with them, serving their most basic needs for sustenance. Second, on Good Friday he sacrificed his life for them, providing for their deepest need, redemption. In Acts two we see both types of love expressed amongst the people of God. Eating together, and sacrificing to provide for one another’s needs. What does this look like in modern times? We meet together regularly, dedicating ourselves to the teaching of the scriptures. We even eat together—both in the form of communion and in meals like we had on Sunday between services. We also provide for one another’s needs. Many donate to the benevolence fund which is shared with those with financial needs. Many provide for the needs of others in other ways too. The Spirit is at work in our church, helping us to obey Christ’s Commandment to love one another. And God is growing our church! New folks are joining! Even just on our worship team, we’ve had new members join our church and immediately join the team. This is truly a gift from God! On Maundy Thursday I shared a new song I wrote that came out of this idea of the new command—that we should love one another—and how that connects to the Sacrament of Communion. I’ve shared the link to the video here. We thank God for his saving work on the cross, and the fact that he rose from the dead, that we will also rise in the end. We look forward to the day when Jesus comes again and we will join with him at that final feast—the wedding feast of the lamb.