Maundy Thursday Meditation

John 13:1-17, 31b-35; 14:25-27

Rev. Dr. Mary Alice Mulligan

When we hear stories from the Gospels, often the point is to understand what Jesus was doing in the world. We learn of his care, his love for every person, his healing and feeding no matter who showed up. But here, on Maundy Thursday evening, we eavesdrop on the final meal Jesus shares with the little group to whom he is the closest. These are the people to whom he gives the ongoing responsibility of carrying on his ministry.

The person we call John, who wrote this book 70 or so years after the fact, was not interested in only recording what Jesus taught the disciples. John wrote to the followers coming after these first ones. Thus he wrote for us. Tonight’s scene records insider conversation, family talk. Jesus speaks simply and directly. One commentator said it is almost like listening to a parent explain death to a small child. We are eavesdropping on intimate communication between a divinely connected, spiritual master and his most devoted followers, as he prepares to leave them. Through the years we have found a name for his inner group of the most committed followers of Jesus. We call them “the church.” The Last Supper scriptures allow the church through the centuries to hear intimate guidance and comfort from Jesus. From the 13th and 14th chapters of the Gospel of John, listen for the word of God.

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 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; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 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.

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 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.”

”I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

Jesus explains he is leaving. The big announcement at the last meal is Jesus’ approaching departure. At various times throughout his ministry, Jesus has publicly stated he will not be around much longer. But he was speaking to the crowds, so the disciples didn’t comprehend his meaning. But now in the intimate privacy of a family meal, the reality comes slamming into their understanding. “Oh God, no! That can’t be possible.” And there is Jesus, talking with them as if they are children whose parents have said they had a trip coming up. And even when their aunt arrives to babysit, they don’t get it. But then when the suitcases come out and the packing begins, the panic sets in. “Where are you going?” What about us? Can’t we go with you?” So the disciples, one after another, are in agreement. This cannot be happening. They have no idea what they will do without Jesus. As if they won’t be able to live without his physical presence.

Here we are, millennia later, hearing Jesus’ words, but not sure how it relates to us. Well, except back in the last century when the Episcopal Church decided to revise The Book of Common Prayer, some people were certain their church was giving up the faith with such heretical new ideas, to get rid of “thees” and “thous.” They felt the church was throwing out Jesus. And ten years later when the United Methodists were revising their hymnal and word leaked that they were considering leaving out “Onward Christian Soldiers,” the committee received death threats. As if the church were throwing out Jesus. Anytime a denomination or congregation changes something people feel is essential, people admit it feels like everything is changing. Suddenly it’s like the foundation of the faith is being ripped away. Our modern examples pale in comparison to the disciples’ experience, but still they help us sense their panic on this Holy Thursday as we remember the Last Supper. How can we go on if Jesus is leaving.

But his love remains. This is the crucial point. Jesus provides his entire community of followers with his love. In fact, his love will be the cement which holds the church together. For 2000 years so far. He leaves his disciples with the new mandate to love each other as he loves them. We get the name Maundy Thursday from the word “mandate,” the new commandment from Jesus to love as he loves. But what does that mean? When the church lives out of the love of Jesus, God is present among them. Divine love is God’s way of being in the world. Such love moves among Jesus’ followers through the Holy Spirit to activate the church in the world.

So to love as Jesus loves is Jesus’ mandate to us as St. Andrew United Church of Christ. too. The love of Jesus Christ is our guiding force, calling us to make the choice together to love with Christ’s love. Such love is not about our fondness for each other, although our mutual affections are wonderful and important. But more than feelings, the divine love of Jesus creates empowered, committed relationship among us. We become an indivisible church together. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will come among us, showing us God’s love, helping us spread Jesus’ teachings.

Later in the farewell discourse which John reports here, Jesus claims he and the Creator Parent are One, and he prays that his followers become One with him, One with God, and one with each other. Someone once said Jesus only used broken people to make the church, because that is all there is. Painfully true. The church isn’t whole people generously serving all the broken people around us. We are all broken. And if we mistakenly start to believe we are fully who Christ calls us to be, then we need to allow the teachings of Jesus to confront us. We are all broken; all incomplete. So we need the church, to band us together to strengthen each other, to challenge each other to be more sacrificial, to encourage each other to hear God’s call clearer. As church, we become intimately connected, so we together can follow the Spirit’s guidance. Then we are together empowered to love with the divine self- giving love which Jesus manifests.

This is why we need to come to the table together. Here we are nourished with holy food which enables us to learn and live out of the self-giving love which Jesus modeled for us. We need such sustenance if we are to do more than occasional good deeds. The ministry of the church should challenge us into new arenas, so let us prepare our minds and hearts, St. Andrew, by receiving the nourishing presence of Christ Jesus. Out of love for us, the love of Jesus remains among us.