“BLESSED ARE YOU IF YOU DO THEM” – MAUNDY THURSDAY

Today is the fourth day of the Passion Week, which is traditionally called as “Maundy Thursday” named after the Latin word “MANDATUM” meaning commandment or instructions, referring to the LORD Jesus’ command to his disciples, during the Great Discourse, during the Passover meal, and immediately after that.

As I could gather, there are four sets of commandments, that the LORD Jesus gives to His disciples through the evening. These commandments are very much applicable to us, even today; and to all who will ever follow the LORD Jesus as their Master, Teacher and Redeemer. 

1- The First Command is during the Washing of the Disciples’ Feet.
– “12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and 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 do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” – John 13:12-17

2- The Second Command is after Judas Walks Out into the Night, to Betray his Rabbi.
– “34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35

3- The Third Command is when the LORD Jesus Explains to the Disciples about the True Vine and the Branches.
– “​1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser…4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing…10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” – John 15:1,4-5,10

4- The Fourth Command is when the LORD Jesus Rebukes Peter as he Cuts Off the Ear of One of the high priest’s Servants, who is Part of the Group that Came to Arrest Jesus, along with Judas Iscariot.
– “10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus…52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” – John 18:10; Matthew 26:52-53

The commands of the LORD Jesus are to be followed through, if we are truly the disciples of Him. If we do not obey them, then we declare loud and clear that we are not the LORD Jesus’ disciples. There is no scope for misunderstanding, nor any scope for misinterpretation of these four commands that our LORD Jesus gave at the very end of His earthly ministry. We are called to follow them faithfully and obediently.
– A command to serve people, just like our Master and LORD was the Servant.
– A command to love one another just as the LORD Jesus had loved the disciples.
– A command to abide in the True Vine, and to bear fruit, just as the LORD Jesus had kept the commandments of the Father, and abided in His love – John 15:10.
– A command to walk the path of non-violence and no resistance, just as our LORD Jesus had walked Himself, and the same which He taught in the Sermon on the Mount, and through out the Gospels.

Being a Christian is not merely believing but living the faith in a way that is visible to everyone. Being a Christian is doing what God is asking from us.
– “24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:” – Matthew 7:24
– “21 “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” – Matthew 7:21
– “13 (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;” – Romans 2:13
– “23 But this is what I commanded them, saying, Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.'” – Jeremiah 7:23

The LORD Jesus exhorted His listeners, the disciples by these words – “BLESSED ARE YOU IF YOU DO THEM.” How are we doing when it comes to obeying the LORD? Are we obeying the LORD Jesus and His commands faithfully? Are we failing to obey the commands of the LORD? If we are obeying, let us praise God for His grace in enabling us to obey Him. If we are failing for whatever reason, let us earnestly and transparently seek His face for mercy and forgiveness; and ask the LORD for His grace to strengthen us to obey His commands. Even so, the LORD help us.