via TJC
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
Maundy Thursday comes from the Latin word “mandatum”, or command. It’s where we get the word “mandatory”. As Kingdom Men, we can translate Maundy Thursday to “Mandatory Thursday”. Thinking about it this way, should carry much more weight. In chapter 13, John records Jesus’ last and newest commandment before His betrayal, arrest, trial, and crucifixion. Since it is “new”, it has primacy and is thereby greater than rest of the commandments and the law, like an amendment if you will. (see Matthew 22:36-40). Jesus’ mandatory command completely changes the game. Keep in mind, He said this knowing that in just hours he would be betrayed and denied by those closest to Him. Yet, He mandates that we LOVE. And He adds, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples.” People will know that we are with Him, not because of what we say or know. Not even because of how we act, but because of how we love…the mandatory thing.
Kingdom Man, what does everyone know about you? What is their first thought about your reputation and allegiance? Do they hear your name and think about the sports teams you support or your political tribe? Those aren’t necessarily bad things, but they aren’t the mandatory thing.
Daily Battle Order:
Make your allegiance known by how you LOVE today. Like Jesus, demonstrate it to those who betrayed, denied or bore false witness to you. It may be hard, but Jesus gave us His example. And then He made it MANDATORY!
A good head slap DBO; Love is Mandatory!