The Message from Maundy Thursday, April 14, 2022

 The Message from Maundy Thursday, April 14, 2022

“Love One Another”

Every year we hear this story and we understand the lesson that Jesus says “we must humble ourselves as he did here, washing their feet”. But Jesus goes beyond that. God has been glorified in his life on this earth. So, if you are my disciples (and of course they are), then this is how people will know – you will love one another. We might say how will people know that they are Jesus disciples if they just love one another. But the disciples know what he is saying.

 

Among them there had been an argument about who Jesus loved the most. He has just told them that one of them is going to betray him. If this kind of stuff goes on – what kind of image does that give of people who are disciples of Jesus?

 

He is telling them – you can’t claim to be my disciples if you can’t first love each other. This has to happen – I have been teaching that we most love each other as God has loved us. It’s the Hippocratic Oath of being a Christian – not written or repeated over and over in speech - but presented (visualized) in our own actions of love. Jesus washed their feet.

 

There are a lot of rituals that we like to do. Communion is one. Washing each other’s feet is not one of them. A more comfortable way for some is to wash hands. I got a taste of what that is like when taking care of my grandchildren when they were little. You know how they wash their hands. You have to go in the bathroom with them – put their hands actually under the faucet and work some soap into the deal as you literally wash their hands for them. It’s as if they had never done this before.

 

But that kind of washing for this time of Holy Seasons may not be the best because there is already a hand washing that will take place before Jesus goes to the cross. However, it is not Jesus or the disciple’s hands that get washed. This handwashing is symbolic also.

 

Pontius Pilate, declared Jesus “innocent” on two distinct occasions in the course of that wildly frightful early morning of our Lord’s crucifixion day. But when faced with a frenzied mob, shouting not for justice but for blood, Pilate chose to side with the mob and turned Jesus over to be crucified. Having caved in to the pressure of sinful men, Pilate ordered a basin of water and made a public gesture of his avoidance of responsibility - his responsibility for defending an innocent man. He washed his hands in the view of the whole multitude, saying, "I am innocent of this man’s blood, see to it yourselves."

 

These two washings couldn’t be more in contrast with each other. Pilate teaches us another whole lesson. We have used his words for centuries – “I’m washing my hands of this situation” I’m not going to get involved. This doesn’t do anything for me. Why should I take the risk of someone seeing me and asking why are you doing that? It is a political risk for pilot to do the right thing. The crowd wants their blood. They have been lied to by the best of the liars, who can sit back now and enjoy the show. Don’t mess with us – even Pilate is afraid to do the right thing.

 

Jesus understands power, greed and those with no backbone. He tells the disciples there is one among you at this table who will sell him for some silver coins. A transaction that starts the chain of events that bring him before the cowardly Pilate.

 

“Where I am going you cannot come”. I give you a new commandment to love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other” This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples when you love each other. Jesus used three consecutive sentences in which he says you must love each other:

 I command you.

Because I have loved you.

People will know that you are my disciples.

Is that reason enough for us to love each other?

 

Would you pray with me: Loving God, you sent your son so that we would know your love for us. Help us to fully understand the new commandment and what it means for us. Help us to do the right thing where it is much easier to do the Pilate thing. As we break bread together as you son did on that night, may we deserve the sacrifice that he is about to make for us. Father, forgive us for following the other self-serving commandments that we have chosen in our lives. Humble us before your son this night, in this time, and in this place – Amen.