Maundy Thursday - The Rev. Colette Hammesfahr

 Maundy Thursday – March 28, 2024 – John 13:1-17, 31-35 

During her many years serving others, Mother Teresa and those who worked closely with her cared for countless dying, starving, and destitute people in hospice facilities and hospitals throughout the world. The Spokesman Review a local newspaper in Spokane, WA tells a story of Mother Teresa sitting at the bedside of a young man, who was so emaciated that there was barely any flesh on his bones. She was cleaning several wounds on his body and as she did, she spoke to him softly. As she was speaking to him, the eyes of the dying man changed. His suffering changed to serenity, “the serenity of someone who suddenly felt he was being loved.” Mother Teresa had to leave the man’s side for a moment. As a volunteer, holding a wash basin, passed by, she stood up and pointed to the dying man. “Love him,” she ordered. “Love him with all your strength.”1 

Today, Maundy Thursday, Jesus’ message in John’s gospel is all about love – agape love. That is, unconditional, sacrificial love. It’s the kind of love that shows empathy. Agape love is not a feeling. Agape love is an action or a response to something.  

Jesus is celebrating the Passover with his disciples, the day before his death. Jesus knowing that his time to death is short, stands up and begins to disrobe. With a towel tied around his waist, he kneels down and begins to wash his disciples’ feet. Feet that had been in sandals all day, walking the dusty dirt roads…roads covered with animal feces and who knows what else. A task so unpleasant that it was generally left to the servants of a house to perform. And here Jesus takes on the role of a humble servant, serving others – the teacher serving his students. Agape love – unconditional, sacrificial love.   

Can you imagine that moment? Jesus has just washed the feet of those 12 people who have been walking alongside him and who will continue to walk after he is gone. Can you imagine that feeling…Jesus, kneeling down and washing your feet?  

And what about Judas? “The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him.” Judas, the man to betray Jesus…Jesus knew this, yet he washed his feet! Judas walked out of that room, with feet cleaned by his master -- walked away to betray him.     

And what about Peter? The man who Jesus knew would deny him three times. Jesus knew of the impending denial, yet he washed Peter’s feet as well.  

Love defines who Jesus is. This action of foot washing by Jesus, was more than a sign of humble service. Jesus was teaching the disciples how those who believe in him should serve one another. It’s here that Jesus leaves them, and us, with a command: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Unconditional, sacrificial love for one another. We should love because of Jesus’ love for us.  

When we hear the word, “love” it can mean a number of things. We can think of worldly things – things we would “love” to have. Places we would “love” to go. We can think of relationships. It’s easy to love our families (most of the time). We love our friends, or they wouldn’t be our friends. This is not the love Jesus is talking about. Jesus is talking about more than just our heart…more than feeling love for someone. Jesus wants us to demonstrate love for others. Love others like Jesus loves us. When you love someone and pour out yourself for them, sacrifice for them, and show them undeserved love, you have an opportunity to change a person. When you love someone you forgive them for their wrongdoings, just like Jesus forgives us. When you love someone you look past their shortcomings. Jesus’ entire ministry was made up of looking past the shortcomings of others – especially those of the disciples, the Pharisees, the Sadducees. None of them or us are perfect. When you love someone, you care for them when they are sick. You’re not worried about how small or menial the task is. You do it with humbleness and pride. Jesus showed his generosity in healing and caring for the sick, over and over again. When you love someone, you make sacrifices for them. You serve them.  

Theologian Michael Rinehart says, “Loving one another is not really a new commandment. The new part is ‘as I have loved you.’ How did Jesus love us? By eating with tax collectors and sinners, by healing the sick and preaching the good news of the kingdom of God, by giving himself to us in the Eucharist and by giving his life on the cross.”  

Jesus sacrificed humbly by washing the feet of his disciples. It was an act that was unexpected, tender, and empowering. It was an act that showed his true character. Yet, Jesus’ final and ultimate expression of love was done on the cross…unconditional, sacrificial love. The sacrifice of taking the sins of the world onto his shoulders.  

Jesus’ hour to death was near, but his hour of glory was also near. When he goes to the cross, he is returning to where the whole story started – back to his father. Jesus’ death on the cross does not mean he left the disciples behind. Jesus has not left us behind. Jesus’ leaving means that he is preparing a place for us.  

And now it’s our turn. It’s our turn to love like Jesus. It’s our turn to bring the love of God to others, teaching them about God’s gift of grace and mercy.  

This is how Mother Teresa lived her life. “Love him. Love him with all your strength,” she said to the volunteer. This is living out the commandment of Jesus to the fullest.  

Mother Teresa had a business card of sorts that she would hand out to people as she walked through the streets. The card said, “The fruit of silence is prayer. The fruit of prayer is faith. The fruit of faith is love. The fruit of love is service. The fruit of service is peace.” 

As you continue through these days with Jesus, on his journey of sacrifice, redemption, and hope, love Him and love others. Love them with all your strength.  

Amen