On Maundy Thursday, Jesus gathered in an upper room with the disciples. They shared the Passover meal, but Jesus changed it. He told them he was the bread broken for them, that in his blood a new covenant was made between humanity and God. 

And then he said,

“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 ‭NIV‬

This is the beginning of the church. This is what the church is meant to be: a community that loves so powerfully the rest of the world recognizes that we are different. 

And then, Judas betrays him with a kiss. And then, Peter denies him entirely. 

Sometimes, we just get it wrong. And it’s always been that way. And Jesus still tells us we are called, we are capable, that he will build us and that the gates of Hell will not prevail against us. 

Jesus still goes the road with us, to the very end. 

So this Maundy Thursday, may you love one another, for God loves you dearly enough that he gave his only Son for you.