Maundy Thursday is celebrated as the day Jesus the Christ celebrated the Passover, commonly called the Last Supper or The Lord's Supper. In that same day, or rather that night, Jesus was betrayed, accused and tried, for crimes against the Jewish Law (through the Sandhedrin, the Jewish Court, presided over by Caiaphas); Herod's Law (Herod Antipas, tetrarch over Galilee and Judea); and Roman Law (presided over by Pontius Pilate, a Roman governor).
The Passover is in commemoration of the Hebrews preparing to leave Egypt under the leadership of Moses. A Paschal Lamb was killed and roasted over a fire, cooked with bitter herbs and served with unleavened bread. The Jewish people still celebrate the Passover, but because Jesus celebrated it a day early, and with only His disciples present, it is described as the Lord's Supper or Last Supper. In John 13:1-11 describes in detail the humility Jesus showed His disciples in washing their feet. This came from an Egyptian custom of the rich showing their piety and humility. They went about the city and washed the feet of the poor and then gave them some coins from a Maund Box, a box of coins saved for that very purpose.
Peter, the elder spokesman for the disciples, protested, for he held Jesus in very high veneration, and rightly so, but Peter did not understand the humility side of leadership, and this was a living example of the Master Himself, putting on the garment of an E.A., after divesting Himself of 'outward apparel' and showed His disciples what leadership was all about. Some members and others believe that a leader is someone to BE served, rather than TO serve. Therefore, Peter protested (John 13:6). It is hard for some members to see their so-called exalted leaders in a servant's position. I face that often in my jurisdiction, but I take heart in what is said in verse 14, where Jesus tells what a true leader is all about. Then, in Micah 6:8, Micah tells us also what the Lord requires of all His people: "do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk HUMBLY with thy God?" This is what the Lord requires of us, leader and member alike.
In the 8th verse, Peter, realizing what Jesus was talking about in a physical sense, but not in a spiritual sense, asked that Jesus wash "not my feet only, but also my hands and my head." In the realm of service, there is no salvation in the water, but in the heart. Jesus did not need to wash His disciples' feet to show His humility, for His was already apparent through His deeds and words. This was an example and lesson for His disciples, for He was about to be taken from them, in a matter of hours. The lesson was Jesus' example to them on how to first, treat one another, and this will prepare them for the positions of leadership for a larger group. The Lodge is the same way, and any other House in Freemasonry, for it is here that we learn to first, get along with each other, treat each other like brothers, before we try to face the larger group called a neighborhood or a community, city, state or country.
Many times, we elect leaders that have no idea of what constitutes good leadership, and consequently, we have to campaign and connive, plot and conspire to attain an office. Once in office, with the absence of true leadership capabilities, the so-called leader becomes what he really is, an elected officer only. While leaders may be born; while leaders may have leadership thrust upon them; while leaders may attain leadership positions by other means, one thing stands out and is very apparent: All leaders MUST be trained. What a let-down it must have been for the disciples, as well as some leaders today, when they find out that there is glory and honor in being humble, and willing to what is legally necessary to get the job successfully done.
While the Egyptians were physically sincere in distributing funds to the poor, even washing their feet as a sign of humility, were their heats in it? While we cannot answer the questions of things done centuries ago, our leaders today, can answer that question of their own humility. There are two things a truly good leader of Masons must have, and they are Dedication and Commitment, and is explained thusly:
"A chicken and a pig were coming into a town and saw a billboard advertising a restaurant. On the billboard was a breakfast plate, showing ham and eggs. The chicken thrust her breast out and bragged about her ability to furnish eggs for the customers." That is total dedication.
The pig looked downhearted for just a minute, and then said, "Mine is total Commitment, for I have to give my life so that a customer can have ham with your eggs! You have never seen a pig running around with a slice of ham out of his rump!"
While you do not have to give up your life in being committed, you must give up some part of it, if you are to be an effective leader. While walking and talking with kings and princes, you must not lose the common touch, for there are more members in the Masonic Order than Masonic leaders. Therefore, in searching for good leadership, seek out the one with a humble attitude, but one that is willing to search for the 25th hour in a day, or the eighth day in a week. Seek out the ones with knowledge of what they should be doing, but have common sense to involve everyone in the quest for successful programs.
While Peter was the elder statesman, he was lacking in humility. This was shown when Peter denied knowing Jesus (John 18:15-17), not once or twice, but three times, as predicted by Jesus in John 13:38. How many times have we, as Scottish Rite Masons denied our own leaders, men that we have elected, men we have selected to be the spokesmen for us before man, yet chastise them for doing so in a good manner? Let us not be the ones to saw the proverbial limb off, once we have asked, and our leaders have taken a position of controversial matters, and we allow them to fall. Leadership, good leadership, is necessary for successful programs, but a key ingredient is there is also, good fellowship. In the case of the disciples, none of them were ready to follow Jesus, even after they had walked and talked with Him for three years.
In
the case of Peter, he denied Him (John 18:15-27).
In the case of Judas, he betrayed Him (John 18:1-4).
All the disciples left Him (John 18:8).
Maundy Thursday is a day of humility for those that would be leaders, those that are leaders and those that have been leaders. It is a day of reflection, for you to measure your own life, your own goals, your own mission. If it is worthy, and you are worthy of your hire, then all is well. If not, all have been for naught, for each tree shall bear it's fruit in due season.
Maundy Thursday is a prelude to Good Friday when the Son of Man was crucified, killed for all sinners like us. On Sunday, the Son got up from a dead level, became a living perpendicular on Sunday morning, and we, as Christians, are able to sing that familiar song, "All Hail the Power of the King."