Scripture: John 13:1-10; Luke 22:14-20; John 13:34-35 Series: 2022
A Maundy Thursday sermon weaving John 13 (foot washing, the new commandment) and Luke 22 (the institution of Communion). Wilson contrasts the low barrier of the open Communion table with the high barrier of foot washing to expose pride that runs both ways—too proud to serve, too proud to be served. He stresses the tactile, incarnational nature of both sacraments (‘eat me, do this’) and argues Jesus’ mandatum is not a threat (‘do this or go to hell’) but an invitation to remembrance and love that frees us from the self-drawn lines limiting what we will and won’t do.
Illustrations: lines-we-will-not-cross, wont-take-shoes-off, too-proud-unloading-groceries, will-i-go-to-hell-necessity
Maundy Thursday
Before the Festival of Passover, Jesus knew that his time had come to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them fully. Jesus and his disciples were sharing the evening meal. The devil had already provoked Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew the Father had given everything into his hands and that he had come from God and was returning to God. So he got up from the table and took off his robes. Picking up a linen towel, he tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he was wearing. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
John 13:1-10
When the time came, Jesus took his place at the table, and the apostles joined him. He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. I tell you, I won’t eat it until it is fulfilled in God’s kingdom.” After taking a cup and giving thanks, he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. I tell you that from now on I won’t drink from the fruit of the vine until God’s kingdom has come.” After taking the bread and giving thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup after the meal and said, “This cup is the new covenant by my blood, which is poured out for you. Luke 22:14-20
Even when we don’t admit them, we all have lines that we draw around our own behavior. We have things we’re willing to do and things we’re not willing to do. Through the community in which we are all in, through church, through our family, in all sorts of ways, there are things that I do. These are things that I don’t do. Often, when preachers talk about moral codes and ethics and things like this, it’s about right and wrong and about don’t murder, don’t steal, don’t commit adultery. It’s the 10 commandments. We can bring those out. But today, tonight, the words of Jesus are not about sins or ethics as they are commonly understood. The words of Jesus are: do this in remembrance of me. Communion is one of those practices that has a low barrier of entry. We give communion to those who seek it. Every Sunday, I say that this is not a United Methodist table. This is not this church’s table. This is Christ’s table. All are welcome. Low barrier. Just come forward. I don’t give a quiz about metaphysics. I offer it freely. Foot washing has a much higher barrier of entry. Some people are comfortable with it or have no personal image issues or care issues about their feet. For others, it is a line that they are not going to cross. There’s a line, it is something they are not going to do. And the irony is that sometimes it goes both directions. I may be comfortable washing your feet, but I’m not taking my shoes off for anyone. Not going to do it. You don’t have to do it. Though oddly, in faith contexts, necessity is quite stark. “If I don’t do this, will I go to hell? No. Then it is not for me.” Necessity presents the life of faith in a minimal with a focus on what I get out of it. Jesus doesn’t say do this or you’re going to hell. Do this in remembrance of me.
Foot washing is a symbol of humility. More than a symbol: it is an act of humility. It takes humility to get on your knees for another person, to help another person. The sin of pride goes both ways. You can be too proud to ever get on your knees for another. You’re not that kind of person. And you can be too proud to ever let anybody wash your feet. You can be too proud to ever ask for help when unloading the groceries and you can be too proud to go forward and offer help when you don’t know how they will respond,. The washing of someone’s feet is tactile. It is not a necessity but an opportunity to connect more with the God who is love who became flesh for us. The God who is love who washed his disciples feet with his hands. Jesus touched them. Then, at the lord’s table, Jesus offered himself in a tactile way so that we can touch him. Communion is tactile. You touch the bread. You taste the bread. You touch the juice. You taste it. Communion is not just about a nice snack In the morning or the evening. Communion is a weird thing to do. It is a weird practice that only becomes a normalized if you’ve done it a lot. Why are we doing this? Jesus says, this is my body here. My body for you, this bread Is not just bread. It is me and I give it to you. I am the son of man, I, the word made flesh. I, the second person of the Trinity who became flesh as a child, Lived your experience, suffered your worries, your hungers, your pains, was tempted as you are tempted, but did not fall. This is me offered for you. Not just once. We’re not done. Do this. Mandatum. Do this to remember me. Eat me. Consume me. I will be with you so that you will not be consumed by your pride, by your lust, by practices of destruction, by desires of the heart that lead astray.
Jesus offers a new commandment. A new mandatum. This is where Maundy Thursday comes from. A mandatum, a mandate, a commandment.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”” John 13:34-35 ESV
And the love Christ speaks of is not just a metaphor. It is concrete. It is tactile. And that means the lines we used to have about what we will or will not do no longer have power over us.
Eat me. Do this. My blood is here for you. Take it in your hands. Touch it, Not just this bread, but your savior,. Not just this juice, but my love My all for you. If I give myself this way, what limits are left for you? You are free Taste and see the Lord is good. Do this in remembrance of me. Let us pray.
Loving God, you take good care of us in more ways than we know. Your personal love is reflected in the kindness of Jesus, who washed the feet of his disciples. May our congregation show your love to one another and our neighbors through practical deeds of mercy. Make us willing to get our hands dirty in assisting others. Help us to discover joy in giving our time and money. We ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.