Maundy Thursday
We are approaching the end of Holy Week. Jesus has gone from having a triumphal entry with palms being laid at his feet, to going through all kinds of changes. On this day He chose to have the Last Supper He would have on earth with His disciples. Instead of it being a peaceful time where He could draw comfort from them, several things happened which no doubt made Him wonder whether they had learned anything from Him:
12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. John 13:12-15 (NLT)
First of all Jesus knew that His betrayer was at the table. Judas sat and ate with them, just as the other disciples did. That same betrayer also sat as Jesus prepared to wash their feet. Then Peter argues with Jesus over whether He would let Jesus wash His feet. Jesus let Peter know unless He washed his feet, he would have no part in HIm. Hence the drama at the foot washing ceremony!
Yet Jesus took off His coat and knelt down and washed every one of His disciples’ feet. After He competed it, He asked them if they realized what He did. No doubt some of them felt like it was obvious what Jesus did – He washed dirty feet, even though servants were supposed to do that.
Jesus was not after the obvious, He was after the heart. “In your heart, do you know what I did”? Jesus knowing their heart helped them know if He, the Master, washed their feet – so too should they wash each other’s feet. An example he displayed in real time that He wanted them to follow until eternity.
Yes, until eternity. For this same lesson Jesus wants us in the 21st century to know and to follow:
6 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. John 13:16-17 (KJV)
Maria