Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Maundy Thursday... by request


Maundy Thursday

April 2, 2015

Love’s Chapel/ Webster UMC

Welcome:

Opening Prayer

Hymn:  What Wondrous Love is This?                                            P 292

Prayer:  Holy and Merciful God.  You humbled yourself to the form of a servant, shared meals with sinners and washed the feet of those who called you master.  Be present with us this Holy Thursday as we remember your love, your life, your death and prepare for your resurrection.  As feet are washed, wash not only our feet but cleanse those inner most parts of our hearts which we try so desperately to keep hidden.  As the holy meal is shared, nourish us; mind, body and spirit so that we may serve you more fully.  In the name of the most Holy one let us pray the prayer that Jesus taught: Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.  Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen 

Scripture reading                                                                        John 13:1-17
Hymn:  Lord Who’s Love Through Humble Service            p 581

Message                                                                                     You are loved
Jesus time had finally come.  He knew that after this moment everything would change.  Like sending a child off to college or those last precious moments you share with a loved one who is dying…. Your mind races.  What have I forgotten to tell them?  What important life lesson or wisdom have they forgotten or misunderstood?  Do they really know how much I love them?
These thoughts are probably going through the mind of Jesus as he prepares for these last moments with the disciples.  They of course don’t recognize just how important this night is.  They have celebrated Jewish festivals with Jesus before.  To them, it’s just another Passover.  Sure, Jesus has talked a lot about dying lately but he says weird things all the time, it is part of his charm- it’s Jesus. 
But, as they all begin to gather around the table, they realize quickly that this is no ordinary meal.  Jesus stands up from the table, walks over to the basin for washing feat but instead of washing his own or calling a servant of the home where they are staying to do it, he takes off his robe and ties a towel around his waist.  The disciples look around at each other with confusion.  What is he doing?  They quickly begin to protest.  No, Jesus, it isn’t right.  You are our teacher, our master, this is not the way it is done! 
Jesus is preparing to do the one thing that will allow him to not only tell them but also show them how much they are loved.   He could have just told them or written them a poem.  He could have bought them something but none of that would have measured up.  He is the gift.  He was preparing to offer himself as the ultimate gift for all of humanity so he wanted to do the same here- offer himself, his service, his humbleness, his care and his compassion.In one action, washing their feet, he conveyed all of this. 
Feet have never been considered something of beauty or something to be cherished.  They are simply a tool, a part of our bodies that thankfully serve a purpose, but it isn’t much of an honorable one.  We don’t like people to touch our feet, especially when they are dirty.  We worry that they may smell or we stress over the fact that they have become arthritic or they developed bunions, calluses, corns or toenail fungus.  We put our feet through a lot.  They carry all of our weight, we use them and abuse them in sweaty, uncomfortable shoes or walk around barefoot exposing them to the dangers of hot asphalt and sharp rocks. 
People in Jesus time were no different, in fact it was probably worse.  They ritually washed their hands on a regular basis but their feet were often neglected.  The shoes they wore didn’t protect them from the elements.  It was hot and dusty. Walking was their primary form of transportation and this exposed them not only to dust but to garbage and waste.  Their feet were dirty, they didn’t want to touch their own feet, much less allow someone else to touch them. 
But this was exactly the point.  The disciples may not have understood just how powerful this gesture was but we can.  Jesus was telling them and us not only about his role of servant leadership but of the depths and expanse of his love.  
We spend a lot of time and energy trying to hide the parts of ourselves that we don’t like from the rest of the world.  We cover it up, pretend it doesn’t exist, blame our faults on others, or dress it up trying to make others think we like it.  But all this covering up and hiding is exposed in the light of God’s love. 
Exposing our feet to someone else to wash is scary and vulnerable but Jesus is telling us that we are so loved, that event these parts that we try to hide are loved too.  They are part of who we are.  We are washed clean at our baptisms but this doesn’t mean we have been made perfect.  There are still parts of us that are dirty and foul but Jesus loves us anyway and given the opportunity, Jesus will cleanse these parts of us too. 
One of my favorite parts of the story of these last moments with Jesus is the fact that Judas was present.  Scripture tells us that all those around the table would deny Jesus and scatter when the time of Jesus fulfillment came but it specifically points out in all four gospels that Judas was there.  The one who would ultimately betray him and turn him over to be killed was present having his feet washed, sharing in the meal.  Even Judas was loved. 
There is nothing you can do that will make God love you less.  There is nothing about you that will ever make God stop loving you.  You are loved.  You are loved.  You are loved. 
Allow Jesus to see all of you, allow Jesus to cleanse all of you.  This was his parting message to his disciples and to us.  You are loved.   Accept this gift, cherish it and go and do likewise. 
 
Foot washing liturgy (Adapted from "A Footwashing Liturgy" by Reggie M. Kidd

Leader:  O prince of Peace, O Friend of Sinners, we praise you and give you thanks, because you laid aside your power as a garment and took upon yourself the form of a slave.
People:  You became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.  You allowed yourself to be born to die in our place, you allowed your own feet to be anointed for death.  You allowed a sinner to wash your feet with her tears.  For God chose what is low and despised in the world to bring to nothing things that are.  Send the Spirit of truth to keep alive in us what Jesus taught and did, that our words may carry his good news and that our lives may bear the shape of the cross of the One who lives and reigns with You and with the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever.  Amen

Foot washing

Holy Communion

Scripture:  John 31-35

Hymn:  I want to Walk as A Child of the Light                                   p 490

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