Good evening. We are half way through Holy Week and everything is about to start changing rapidly. But we need not get ahead of ourselves. The story of Holy Week plays out bit at a time. Jesus’ life, just like ours, isn’t just a matter of the big moments. His life is about the whole story of it and the way it fits together. We can’t understand the excitement of Palm Sunday if we don’t first know why Jesus is exciting to be around. We can’t appreciate the intimacy of Maundy Thursday if we don’t take the time to examine the quality of Jesus’ relationships. The horror of Good Friday might make for a Hollywood film but it’s real importance is in knowing why the people close to Jesus are still there. And the story of Easter only reaches its full glory if we pull together the context of why Jesus was raised and what it would mean.
So for right now, here we are in one of the most intimate times Jesus shares and it’s a story worth spending time in because we get to see the quality of love Jesus shares with those close to him. What kind of love is this that Jesus shares? What kind of love is it that he wants others to cultivate and live?
Well, this passage starts with Jesus sharing a meal with his friends. This doesn’t seem odd to us because Jesus eats with people throughout his ministry. But just because it’s common, doesn’t mean that it isn’t deeply special. It is incredibly special.
Meals like Jesus shared were served family style… you know, the kind were we dip from the same bowls and have to be conscientious of how much we take because there are those at the end of the table yet to be served. They’re the kind of meals that if we’re in tune with those around us, we save that last roll for Jim because he loves them or we make sure Karen gets seconds because she had to skip lunch today to take her child to the doctor. Table fellowship is a truly intimate thing.
You know, I was blessed to be raised by my grandmother where we had meals at the table with no TV or other distractions. It was not just about sharing of food. It was about sharing of time. We talked about what was important to us and were blessed to know about one another’s lives. Most families today don’t share that time and I worry that we’re missing out on something special. But I don’t think that’s the only way to share and be in touch with each other. For example, if you want to get most teenagers to talk with you, drive somewhere 45 minutes away. That seems to be just the right amount of time to get into what needs to be said.
Anyway, the point I want to get to is that Jesus valued the people around him so he shared meals with them so that they could have truly meaningful time away from the hustle and bustle of their outward lives. What kind of love is this? It’s one that values the people around him.
The next thing we see is Jesus washing the feet of his disciples and friends. Now, let’s pause for a moment here to look at the context of what’s going on since foot washing isn’t a common practice in our culture.
We’re talking about a culture where clean water was scarce so bathing was a rare occurrence because it was more healthy to save the clean water for drinking than use it up bathing. But because this was a dusty, arid land, where the feet and legs would get caked on sand and dirt which carried sand fleas, foot washing was customary when you entered someone’s house or retired for the evening meal and bedtime. If a family had servants, the servants washed the feet of the family because it was considered a humble job. If the family did not, the person with least standing such as daughters washed the feet of others as they entered.
So from a modern perspective, the job of foot washing is something we would regard as below most any role or job. Really, in our culture, I can’t think of such a servant position. But what we need to know is that for Jesus to get on his hands and knees to do such a thing is an act of true humility and servant hood. So, what kind of love is this? It’s one that values service to others over being served.
Next, we have an exchange between Peter and Jesus about why Jesus is doing this. Jesus confirms what we’ve already recognized about service. But let’s reread part of this passage:
Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him.
I always find 2 things remarkable about this exchange. First, when Peter wants more than his share, Jesus responds with an understanding reply rather than a shaming comment. The second thing is that Jesus already knew someone would betray him yet stayed in relationship with Judas rather than kicking him to the curb.
In our culture we are quick to judge, condemn, and belittle others for their faults. But Jesus knew that the only way to grow through our faults and mistakes is in the safety of relationship, not the cutting off of relationship. What kind of love is this? One that embraces people for where they are rather than condemning them for what they haven’t yet become.
Next we hear the sum of the Christian life. The passage reads:
After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
Any good teacher knows that if you want someone to learn something, you have to present it in multiple ways. Jesus teaches by example in his deeds but he goes a step further and shares explicitly what the teaching is. He wants them to truly internalize what the message is and live it out, a life of service, connection, and a living body of Christ. What kind of love is this? One that wants others to grow, thrive, and become who God created them to be.
Sisters and brothers, we encounter Jesus tonight at his most intimate. He has shared with his disciples and us what he thinks is important. He knows he’ll soon be betrayed and will die but rather than retreat, he stays with those he loves. What kind of love is this? It’s one that values the people around him. It’s one that values service to others over being served. One that embraces people for where they are rather than condemning them for what they haven’t yet become. One that wants others to grow, thrive, and become who God created them to be.
As we move from this time and soon enter the garden where Jesus will be arrested, my prayer is that we never forget what kind of love this is and our calling to live it out. As Jesus said, “If [we] know these things, [we] are blessed if [we] do them. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment