Sermon - 2020-04-08 - Maundy Thursday

John 13:1-17 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

13 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Tonight we gather together to celebrate Maundy Thursday.  For many of us though, we are not gathered around the Lord’s Table or Altar.  Rather we are at home.  However, it was in the home that Jesus gathered with his own disciples.  They gather in the upper room within the city of Jerusalem.  Jesus gathers them together for a special meal and they prepare for a night of being in one another’s presence.  They go to celebrate the Passover Seder, a meal in which they are reminded of God delivering the Chosen People of God out of Egypt and slavery and promising to take them to a new land. 

Tonight, we are reminded that at every table, that is the place where God blesses us.  That our faith is not confined to a building but is something that is within our hearts, our minds and we are able to journey with Christ every single day.  Yet we do set a time and place for us to gather as a church family.  For a sense of honor, care, compassion, and to remind one another of how important God declares we are to one another.  

So tonight, we gather around this table and are reminded that we are the Lord’s.  We gather to hear of the words that we speak within the communion.  We gather to hear the promise of what that meal means for you and for me.  We gather to know that God has not forgotten us and we have not forgotten God.   So tonight, we gather, and may you hear those words spoken directly to you and for you.  May you know that God knows your struggles, your fears, that feeling of being distant.  

Yes, tonight above all nights, we are reminded of Jesus giving of himself for your sake.    Giving his full self, body, and blood, for the sake of the world and the sins of it all so that we may be reconciled to God in heaven.  A powerful gift, one in which we did not ask for and one that even the disciples did not fully understand.  A powerful gift of unity with Christ that we are reminded tonight just how special it truly is.  

Tonight, we gather to receive the very body and blood that was given for you and for all people.  May you feel his presence and his love tonight and every day of your journey of life and faith.  Amen.