Holy Week

Holy Thursday: Love Hurts

Scripture: John 13:31-35

Historical Happenings:
The pace changed dramatically on this day. Here are some highlights:

• Last Supper/Communion
• Washing the Disciples Feet
• Jesus gives a new commandment
• Jesus promised the coming of Holy Ghost
• Jesus reveals His betrayer and denier
• Jesus’ prayer time in the Garden of Gethsesame was so agonizing His sweat became blood
• The disciples were awaken from their slumber by Roman Soldiers there to arrest Jesus
• Peter cuts off a Roman Soldiers ear but Jesus then heals it back 
• Judas seals the betrayal with a brotherly kiss
• Jesus is arrested

Traditionally today is called “Maundy” Thursday because it comes from the Latin word mandatum, meaning “command” or "commission."  Jesus gave this new command: love one another as He has loved us. Not with words alone, but with action, sacrifice, and grace.
He fleshed out this new commission by kneeling down and washing their feet. The King becomes a servant, showing that true greatness is found in humility and love.

Devotional Thought:
I could do a whole series on this day alone. Each highlight is worth our time and attention. However, the common denominator can’t be overlooked. It screams from the pages of scripture. Let’s find it together.

Revealing that His body would be broken and His blood poured out for all, LOVE.
Washing the nasty feet of His betrayer and denier, LOVE.
Submitting in an agonizing prayer to go through with the sacrifice, LOVE. 
Dying so we could have access to Holy Ghost in our lives, LOVE.
Healing the ear of the soldier arresting Him, LOVE.
Receiving a brotherly kiss of betrayal with no retaliation, LOVE.
Allowing Roman Soldiers to take Him, LOVE.  
Giving them a new command/commission to live by which is summed up as, LOVE.

All this day Jesus was fleshing out His new command. What an example! It’s easy to love when it’s convenient but Jesus calls us to love when it costs something. If love doesn’t cause you pain, you aren’t loving right because… LOVE HURTS.

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience that kind of love today? What would it look like to love through the pain?

Prayer:
“Jesus, thank You for showing me what real love looks like. Teach me to serve others with humility, to love without condition, and to reflect Your heart in all I do.”