MAUNDY THURSDAY!

MAUNDY THURSDAY!

John 13:3-10

3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

          For non-Catholics, the significance of Maundy Thursday can be a bit of a head scratcher. Well, here is what Wikipedia has to say about it: Maundy Thursday (also known as Holy Thursday, Covenant Thursday, Great and Holy Thursday, Sheer Thursday and Thursday of Mysteries) is the Christian feast, or holy day, falling on the Thursday before Easter. It commemorates the Maundy and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles as described in the Canonical gospels. It is the fifth day of Holy Week, and is preceded by Holy Wednesday and followed by Good Friday.

          John knew that Jesus operated on a heavenly schedule and reported that Jesus knew “his hour had come.” The foot washing scene has more significance if we understand the cultural setting of that day. The roads were either unpaved or paved with cobblestones. Shoes were mostly sandals for both men and women. If it did not rain the feet were covered with dust. If it did rain the dust was turned to mud. Animal excrement added to the filthy mix of roadway dirt. When entering a house the shoes would be removed and the feet would be washed by the lowest of servants.

          When Jesus washed the apostles’ feet it was an extreme act of humility. He was their leader and superior. It was uncomfortable and embarrassing to have one such as Jesus wash your feet. Peter resisted it strongly because he did not understand what Jesus was doing. “Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.”

          The payment and punishment for our sin began when the God of the Universe knelt before the filthy feet of man. It continued in the garden with the bloody tears of prayer and culminated in his broken and lifeless body on the cross. Emotionally, I agree with Peter. He should never have to wash my feet! Yet, I am soiled by walking in the world and need a fresh anointing every day. “He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit.”

Phil 2:8-11

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Dear Lord, I have soiled my feet by walking in a dirty world. Wash me and make me clean. AMEN