The night of Jesus' arrest in the Garden has been known as Maundy Thursday because of John 13.34 - A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. The Latin words for new commandment are mandatum novum and is from that word mandatum we take the name of this day. For Jesus to give a commandment is interesting and is straightforward and surely an easy thing to do. Well, there's a problem, two people to whom Jesus gives this very commandment, after washing their feet and presiding at the Last Supper commemorating the redemption of Israel from slavery in Egypt, will betray him before the sun comes up. We just aren't that loveable, it requires a commandment and it requires the Holy Spirit. Tonight we reflect on a night fraught with meaning, a night of celebration and hope broken by betray and hopelessness. A night of chaos, madness and evil and it began with a command to love.
