Maundy Thursday – Love is the Way
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John 12:12-27
INTRODUCTION
Those first disciples had little or no idea what this night would mean. Less than twelve hours after this supper, Jesus would be nailed to a cross. Only a few hours later, he would be dead. They had no idea how important this moment was…no idea that tonight would be known for thousands of years as “The Last Supper.”
Our reading today began, “Jesus knew that his hour had come…”. He understood the significance of this moment…it was his last opportunity to privately counsel or teach his disciples. And so, Jesus gave the disciples exactly what they would need, not just for the next 12 hours, but for the rest of their days.
Jesus’ actions tonight are simple, but the significance is revolutionary. Let’s review what happened. Jesus and the disciples are already seated in John 13. Jesus takes off his robe, wraps himself with a towel, and begins to wash the feet of the disciples. This is really odd in so many ways:
● First, washing your feet is something that normally happens when you enter a house – not after you’re seated and eating. This moment, when Jesus chooses to wash their feet, is like the centerpiece of the night. This is the time, NORMALLY, for the main event – possibly some entertainment or an important speech. So washing feet right now isn’t normal.
● Aside from odd timing, it is shocking to see Jesus take this role. Culturally, good hospitality would mean a host could offer guests a bowl of water and a towel, so they could wash their own feet (when they first entered the house). It would be even more hospitable to offer a slave – probably a woman with no status at all – to literally wash the dirt off feet and dry them. That was traditional hospitality in this culture. But, tonight, Jesus does the work of a female slave! The lowest possible status in that cultural context. He disrobes, stoops to the floor and lovingly washes the dirt off the feet of his disciples.
Jesus uses a simple action to convey extraordinary love! He pours not just water, but also pours out love on these disciples. He’s demonstrating that even though He is their Lord, and Master, and teacher…they are his beloved, they are not his subjects but rather friends:
● he truly is king, but he rejects looking down on them as subjects; these are his brothers.
● The relationship between Jesus and his followers is a relationship of love.
● Jesus humbled himself, like someone with no money, no status
● It is truly shocking! So much so, that Peter cringes and says, “No! Jesus, this is not right!”
Remember, Jesus is doing this as THE main program of the evening – this is a really important lesson. Jesus insists and, of course, Peter doesn’t understand. But when Jesus says to Peter, that this act of love is an expression of our relationship…if you reject my love, you have no part of me…THEN, Peter agrees.
Jesus washed everybody’s feet. From Peter, who we know will soon deny that he even knows Jesus. Jesus also washed the feet of Judas. Even though Judas was actively betraying him that night. Jesus knew it. Jesus knows the failures and faithlessness of his disciples, and yet he still loves. If it’s true for Peter and Judas, it is also true for you and me. The relationship we have with Jesus is based on Jesus’ love …unconditional…freely given…initiated by Jesus…as a beloved friend or brother.
After washing all their feet…including the feet of Judas. In the midst of the most important lesson of their lives, Jesus allowed Judas to go and sin against him even then… to get the soldiers who would arrest him. Even then, Jesus loves. Jesus then turns to the rest of the disciples and interprets the importance of the foot washing:
“I give you a new commandment,” says Jesus, “that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
JESUS COMMANDS A NEW WAY TO LIVE
What Jesus taught that night was a profoundly different way of living than the culture that he lived in, in Jerusalem at that time.
Culturally, powerful leaders didn’t share power. They exercised control. In the Roman government we saw Pilot act as an authoritarian. He used violence and murdered anyone who challenged his authority. But in the religious community too, the Chief Priests enforced laws with very severe punishments. They lived as “elites” in religion and wealth. The culture of the day was top-down authority and take care of #1. That’s not so different today in America.
But, the central teaching of Jesus on Maundy Thursday is a complete reversal of any top-down cultural norm. When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, he wasn’t just preparing them for his death. He was demonstrating a new way of life… in contrast to a corrosive, power-hungry world. Jesus’ way is the way of love. That’s what the image of God looks like in human form. And the new commandment we get from Jesus is to love as he loved.
You too, bear the image of God, and loving as Jesus loved – may seem so counter cultural that it sounds like a burden. But the truth is that there is freedom in this too. You bear the image of God and to share that image through love is a gift to the world…and also a gift to you. To love like Jesus loved, is a powerful revolution in this world. It is what God is leading you and me to do.
How could that look in our lives…and how could it make a difference?
It’s really about how you and I deal with everyone we will ever meet…in our home, in the grocery store, on the street, or at work.
How will you greet the stranger you see? Will you ignore that they even exist, or can you smile and even say hi? What about family gatherings over this holiday weekend? When somebody shares a political view that you really disagree with, can you disagree but still love? Jesus’ model was to wash the feet of people that fundamentally disagreed with him. He demonstrated love and teaches us to do the same.
It’s hard to predict how your decision to love will have an impact.
I remember the story of Steve, an employer in a small software engineering company. Steve wanted to be more than THE authority with his employees. He wanted to foster love and respect in his workplace. So, Steve resolved to visit each of his 6 employees and tell each one how much he appreciated them, and actually name one thing they did excellently.
He followed through, and afterwards Steve got a big surprise. One of his employees, named Lenny, showed up at his office with a gift for his boss: an Xbox (this was several years ago when that was a new thing)
You see, Lenny’s mom had died the year before, and Lenny was lonely and very depressed.
“Last week, you freaked me out.” Lenny said. “You came into my cubicle, put your arm around me, and told me you appreciated me because I turn in all my projects early, and that helps you sleep at night. Over e-mail you said I have a great sense of humor and you’re glad I came into your life.
“That night I went home and all I could think about was what you said—that you were glad I came into your life. The next day I went to a pawnshop and sold the gun.
I remembered that you had said you wanted the Xbox more than anything, but with a new baby at home could not afford it. So, for my life, you get this game. Thanks, boss.”
Jesus teaches us to love one another and that way of life is revolutionary! Jesus Christ (already risen from the dead) stands with you today. Whether it’s your own reputation you’re afraid of losing…or it’s neighbors, or or it’s your own sense of failure…or whether it’s you not feeling like your love can make any difference in this world. Let me tell you, you can!
Your love can be as powerful as Steve in rebuilding hope for someone today.
What we need to resist…is a culture that tells us to respond selfishly, to treat each other as competition rather than beloved children of God. Remember that Jesus loved Peter even in his weaknesses and Judas even when he undermined and betrayed Jesus. The call of Maundy Thursday is to reflect love that starts with God’s love for each person we meet.
God is unstoppable in God’s pursuit of you, because God loves you… and GHod loves everyone you will ever know. Be a part of this revolution, by loving! In Jesus’ name.
Pastor Doug Cox