We Have Been Given a New Commandment: Love One Another

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.

Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.

—John 13:34

Our church word for the holy Thursday evening of Holy Week, "Maundy," comes from the Latin, "Maundatum," which means "mandate" or "commandment." There is a verse from John 13:34 that reads "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." Jesus showed His love for us by being willing to take that love all the way to the cross.

This service tonight begins our observance of the church’s most special holy nights and days: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter. These days remind us every year that God’s love is so profound and great that God made a sacrifice for us. Such love! There’s no other love in all the universe like God’s love for God’s creation and God’s people!

To observe these days, I invite you to sacrifice, to pray and to worship and praise.

The sacrifice may be a meal you skip and donate the proceeds to the local food pantry or another cause that helps the hungry. Or it may be an act of service to someone you know who is in need. The prayer may be to spend a half-hour at church from noon on Good Friday to noon on Holy Saturday, or to find another time and place to thank God for all your blessings and ask God to bless those less fortunate than we are. The worship and praise will be tonight, Thursday, at 7 PM and Easter at either 7 or 10 AM.

Pause to remember why this is one of the holiest and most profound and beautiful nights of the entire year.

I’ll see you in church or in other places where we do ministry together!

Paul