Today, I’m tossing a lateral pass on writing. My friend, Doug has recreated the Last Supper in a short story form that is both potent, amusing, and contemporary, and thereby worth your read. I think you’ll like his take here:
Excerpt:
Jesus bolted from the dinner table – didn’t even say “May I be excused?” – stripped to his boxers and started washing everybody’s feet. Peter made a fuss, of course, but Jesus said, ….
“Maundy” is derived from the Latin word, “Holy” (set apart).
Do you celebrate “Maundy Thursday”…or remember the events of the the night of the Last Supper, or Christ’s action of taking the role of a slave and washing his students’ feet? Reflection on that today, for at least a few minutes.
Read today’s Scripture below:
AND if you’d like share your spiritual reflections here:
Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet
JOHN 13:1 Now nbefore othe Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that phis hour had come qto depart out of this world to the Father, rhaving loved shis own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when tthe devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing uthat the Father had given all things into his hands, and that vhe had come from God and wwas going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, xtied it around his waist. 5 Then he ypoured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 zJesus answered him, “What I am doing ayou do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 bPeter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, c“If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, dexcept for his feet,1but is completely clean. And eyou2 are clean, fbut not every one of you.” 11 gFor he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 When he had washed their feet and hput on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, i“Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 jYou call me kTeacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, lyou also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, mthat you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, na servant3 is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, oblessed are you if you do them. 18 pI am not speaking of all of you; I know qwhom I have chosen. Butrthe Scripture will be fulfilled,4 s‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 tI am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, uwhoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
Thanks for the shout-out, Lisa. You’re a real pal. (And I bet your feet are REALLY clean.) The South Texas School of Christian Studies is doing a Maundy Thursday service today. I am taking the egotistical step of attaching the brief devotional I am offering (the basis for today’s blog) along with the closing benediction.
Introduction to Maundy Thursday
Some forty days ago we celebrated the beginning of the Season of Lent. Now that period of darkness reaches its nadir with the approach of Good Friday and the image of Jesus on the cross. Today, the day before, is called Maundy Thursday.
What is Maundy Thursday?
Maundy Thursday takes its name from the Latin translation of John 13.34, “A new commandment I give you, that you also love one another, even as I have loved you, that you love one another.” Because our Lord gives this commandment in the context of the washing of the disciples’ feet, that act of service is usually seen as a concrete example of the love Jesus requires.
How does Maundy Thursday challenge us?
The church has traditionally seen Jesus’ act of washing feet as an example of Christian service, and so it is. But I want to suggest an additional angle. The Babylonian Talmud required worshipers to wash the dust from their feet before approaching the Temple. Jesus has spent Holy Week marginalizing the Temple: On Monday he ritually destroys it, and on Tuesday he prophesies its destruction. Now he washes his disciples’ feet and tells them to do the same for one another. This, I think, means two things: First, Jesus tells us we no longer find God in sacred space of buildings, but in the sacred flesh of his body. Second, Jesus subverts the normal order: Instead of cleansing ourselves in order to approach God, we approach the God who cleanses us.
And I will add one brief but important thought: Jesus then commands his disciples to perform the same ministry for one another. His body shortly departed the earth and we now find Jesus’ physical presence only in the other, just as Jesus taught us in Matthew 25, that terrible parable of the sheep and the goats. YOU are now the source of cleansing for your sister in Christ, and your sister in Christ is now the source of YOUR cleansing. Though Christ alone can save, it must be our love for one another that covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4.8) and makes us fit for Christian fellowship. The traditional color of Maundy Thursday is deep purple, but it is sometimes marked, as we have done today, by red. The only other time in the Church Year when we use red is Pentecost, because it is the color of the church, the community, the Body of Christ. We use red today to remind us that Jesus commands us to serve him in one another.
Benediction:
May the Jesus wash your feet,
Because your feet are dirty.
May you wash the feet of Jesus’ followers,
Because their feet are dirty.
May the followers of Jesus wash your feet,
Because your feet are dirty.
In the name of the Father,
And of the Son,
And of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
Many thanks. My readers lucked out and got a DOUBLE treat today. So, thank you, “easter bunny”! Bok Bok :)
You must read my little write-up on the feet washing incident….
Found here. And, please leave a comment or thought…OR SOMETHING…..
my friends and I had a last supper we planned out because we were all going off to college and we knew it was just never going to be like it was. celebration is good.
I like that idea of celebrating fellowship in that way, Charlie, and coupling it with the fellowship and communion with God, Holy Spirit, in the partaking of a Last Supper occasion. It sounds beautifully Kingdom-like. I appreciate you sharing that, and I hope it inspires others to do the same.
I was with my friend Don last night…he told me of an opportunity he had to share communion with a group of people in India…they were lepers.
Because of the caste system they have in that region – leprosy is still a disease that people suffer and die from. Although it is totally and easily curable, since it is a bacterial infection, with antibiotics…..those in the “upper castes” will not offer help because they believe ‘this is your lot or punishment – and you need to work this out on your own – in hopes of getting a better lot in your next life’
Upon meeting with the group – he was the only one with a chair, the rest sat in the dirt with their open sores, maggot infested wounds, and other nauseating conditions….leprosy is a bacterial infection that destroys the nerve endings – and therefore one can not feel when they have injured or otherwise caused harm to their bodies….
He motioned to the other pastor (Bennet) that they were ready to take communion together….Bennet realized he had forgotten “the elements”. Frantic – he goes into the village to see what he can find. In the meantime, Don and the group of people begin to worship. No music, no band, no powerpoint – just worship. It was one of the most meaningful and heartfelt moments of worship he had ever participated in he tells me…
When Bennet returns, he shares with Don what he could find to communion…..a stale roll, and a single bottle of hot Indian cola….
After years of celebrating communion in our American churches – Don had grown accustomed to the grape juice and crackers or bread. He had become familiar with the elements and yet held them in high regard and with sacredness….and though “I can’t do this”….but as he looked over the group of people sitting there – eager to share in the community that is communion – he realized….they understood so much more than he ever could have….
With single roll and bottle in hand, he broke ‘the flesh’ with them and gently poured the ‘blood’….no cups, each from one bottle….humbled and honored.
We celebrated communion last night with Don using a stale hot-dog bun and a can of warm coke–shared between 28 others….
It was the most meaningful, encouraging, and hope-filled communion I have ever shared…..