Luke 22: 7-65
The word "maundy" comes form the Latin mandatum, from which we get the English word "mandate." It refers to Jesus' new command to "love one another, as I have loved you." (John 13:34) Although Luke does not specifically use those words, the command to love one another is the underlying theme of what Jesus was teaching the disciples. Unfortunately, the passage about Thursday night of Holy Week is mostly about those who in some way or other failed to love.
The disciples are told to prepare things for the Passover meal (22:7-13). The Passover commemorates Israel being freed from bondage in Egypt. His followers were sure that Jesus was going to free them from Roman bondage, but He has something else in mind. He wanted to free them from the bondage to the world's way of doing things.
Judas chooses betrayal over love (14-23; 47-48)
The body and the blood are being offered up for all at the table, but there is one there who will betray Him. Jesus lovingly is giving Judas a chance to reconsider what he is doing, warning him of the consequences. I have often wondered if Judas was trying to force Jesus' hand so He would destroy His attackers and bring in the Kingdom. Maybe he was tired of Jesus' soft approach. Sure, talking tough to the Pharisees was good, but how about some action? Of course, all of this is highly speculative, but I think there are a lot of Christians who can't wait for Jesus to come and throw some lightning bolts into His (meaning "our") enemies. How exactly the opposite of what Jesus was about (Luke 9:54-55 NKJV), and how unloving of us to even think that way.
The disciples choose false benevolence over loving servanthood (24-30)
The disciples had completely the wrong idea about what the kingdom is supposed to look like. They each wanted greatness, but Jesus told them that leadership in the Kingdom looked like servanthood. The leaders of the gentiles longed to be called Benefactors (verse 25). They seek to maintain control by making it look like they are doing things to help the people, when what they are really after is power, glory, and control. In America, it is easy to get caught in the trap thinking one certain politician or Party is going to solve all our problems, when what most of them are really after is power and accolades.
Back in 2015, when I was writing for Screenfish during the runup to
The Force Awakens, I wrote a series of articles about the previous Star Wars movies. This was during the middle of Obama's last term, way before anyone had an inkling Trump would be the center of politics in America for years to come. In my
review of A New Hope, I wrote this:
Vader's response to criticism of his "religion" is to squelch the argument. When you have an "all-powerful Force," which Obi-Wan Kenobi says not only controls you, but "obeys your commands," that is definitely an option. A very dangerous option.
As Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem with his disciples, the Samaritans refused to provide a place for them to stay. James and John ask, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did (Luke 9:54 NKJV)? Their new-found authority as the Apostles of Christ had gone to their heads, and was becoming dangerous. Jesus had to rebuke them: You do not know what manner of spirit you are of (9:55).
Our religion becomes dangerous when we use it to control and destroy. The purpose of our authority in Christ is not so we can force others to our point of view, but to be able to serve others. Jesus put it this way (Luke 22: 25-27 NIV):
“The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.”
As we will learn in The Revenge of the Sith, Darth Vader thinks of himself as a ‘benefactor’. His dream of spreading peace and stability through the Empire is what motivates him--and what excuses his use of power to control and destroy.
Obi-Wan takes an opposite tack. He gives up his life in order to become, as he tells Vader, "more powerful than you could possibly imagine." But the old Jedi was not talking about a power to control and dominate, but to help. His death would not only lead to the escape of his friends, but would allow him to help Luke become the Jedi he was meant to be. The parallel with what Jesus Christ did is striking (John 16:7 NKJV):
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”
The disciples were grieved when Jesus told them He was going away. But it was for their benefit, because Jesus would send them the Holy Spirit. God was about to do something new. Luke was grieved, shocked, and confused when Obi-Wan was struck down. But now Obi-Wan's spirit would be able to help Luke in a way the old man couldn't have.
Most of us will probably not need to give up our physical lives for the cause of Christ. But Jesus did talk about "taking up our cross" and following Him. Yes, many disciples were martyred, but there is another meaning Jesus had in mind with His words. It involves giving up what we want for the benefit of others.
While the concept can sometimes be abused, "dying to self" is an integral part of what it means to be a Christ follower. It's not about becoming a doormat, but it is about serving others instead of lording over them--using force to get them to come to our side.
What we need is not a religion that gives us power to direct the world as we see fit, but an attitude of allowing God to use us to help others.
Jesus does tell His disciples that they were the ones who had stuck by His side, and they would be rewarded. There was love there, even if their ideas were still a bit mixed up. I'm glad to hear that; it gives me hope. God is still working one me. He's still working on us.
Peter will fail the test of unwavering love (31-46; 49-51; 54-62)
Simon Peter is not the only one who will be tried. Look how the NIV translates verse 31: "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat." (Emphasis added.) The trial which would separate the good from the bad was going to be the experience of all the disciples. They would all fail in various ways, but Jesus tells Peter when he turns back, he is the one the group will turn to for strength. Again, Jesus gives hope in the midst of coming failure.
The disciples fail Jesus by not staying awake with Him. Jesus continues to show unwavering love for the disciples. He will go through with what needs to be done, even though He has to be comforted by an angel instead of those who should have been watching with Him.
They also fail the test of following Him when He is arrested. While someone asks if they should use the swords, before Jesus answers, another takes a swipe and cuts off an ear. Now's the time for lightning bolts, right Jesus? Following the lead of his impetuous Hobbits, Gandalf holds up his staff and... Sorry, it doesn't end that way. That's not how the Kingdom is to come. Jesus reaches out and restores the ear. He practices what he has been preaching. He was serious.
Okay. Why did Jesus have them take the swords in the first place if He didn't intend for them to use them? Didn't He just tell them to sell their clothing to buy swords if they didn't have any? Was Jesus using hyperbole to emphasize the peril that was coming? Frankly, I don't know, and I have yet to see an answer that satisfies me. And that's okay. It's enough to know that even in this situation Jesus is living out what He preached, and we should, too.
After this, Jesus is taken into custody. As He predicted, Peter denies Him three times. But he is still capable of weeping over his lack of courage. His story isn't over. Ours isn't either.
The Temple guard followed the way of the gentiles, not the way of love (63-65)
The Jews who made up the Temple Guard did not treat prisoners any differently than the gentiles did. Jesus is mocked, beaten, and insulted. You can tell so much about a society by how those who police it treat prisoners. I better stop there, or I'll be up all night. I'll let you draw your own conclusions as to how that applies today.
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