Maundy Thursday

Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14  1 Corinthians 11:23-26 John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Psalm 116:1, 10-17

As we walk with Jesus through the words of the Gospel narratives week after week, year after year, we glean from the teaching and examples of his ministry. We seek to grow closer and closer and follow more diligently.  We reflect on the words we read, and we dig deeper and deeper for the ever-expanding message that Jesus intends for us.  Always, we need to pay close attention and listen with ever greater intention.

But, never perhaps, is there a time that we need to be more keenly open to the message than in the accounts of this last evening, these last hours, of Jesus’ earthly life.  Jesus is well aware that these are the last moments of his earthly ministry, his last opportunity to instill the foundations of his mission into those charged with carrying on without his earthly leadership.  What critical instructions would you give to those closest to you if you knew this was your last opportunity?

Clearly, Jesus’ words and actions on this last evening should be observed in detail, prioritized as the foundations of our faith journey – our call to ministry.

Jesus’ earthly life ends as it began – in ultimate humility.  From a feeding trough in a cattle stall in Bethlehem amongst kneeling sages and shepherds; Jesus kneels now at the feet of his disciples to wash away the grime of life – soothing and tending their sore, dirty, blistered feet.  These are the feet that have born them along the dusty rocky paths of their journeys throughout Galilee and now Jerusalem as they have followed Jesus and gleaned the essence of his call to discipleship.

Few scenes could equal the humility of this scene described by the words of John’s Gospel: The Anointed One – the one they had come to know as the Messiah so long foretold by prophets – taking the position of a slave, the lowliest of positions, on his knees before them, bathing their feet.  This is truly a “new commandment,” not simply spoken, but exemplified.  We are to humble ourselves in love and service to one another.  That is the critical message that Jesus came to bring to us; this is the message that Jesus used these last vital moments to implant in those who would take forward his mission.

Jesus is well aware of the horror that is to come.  He is well aware that the devil has entered Judas and is guiding him toward the most horrific and well-known betrayal of all creation.  Yet, Jesus calmly sends Judas on his way to accomplish his deceitful mission; then quietly and persistently in ultimate humility, Jesus begins to serve those remaining.

In this scene of betrayal and impending horror, Jesus is the essence of peace and forgiveness; Jesus concludes his times of togetherness by demonstrating the critical message of loving servitude on his behalf – serving the needs of one another without fear – accepting one another’s weaknesses, forgiving one another, being at peace with one another.

On this final evening, Jesus demonstrated his most basic and vital messages as he shared the Last Supper with those who had known and loved him the most.  As they shared this final meal, Jesus instructed them that they were to continue participating in this Last Supper – the Holy Communion – in remembrance of him.

More than two thousand years later, we continue to share this meal; in peace with one another, in mutual forgiveness, we are not bystanders, we are participants In Remembrance of Him.  As did these original disciples, refreshed by his message, nurtured by his love that is present in our love for one another, and fed with the spiritual food of the Holy Communion, we go in peace to love and serve. With all our senses, we are faithful participants in this last evening of Jesus’ earthly life – the vital messages for which Jesus gave his life.  With all of our senses we are to be the New Commandment.