If you knew that tonight was going to be your last night on this earth, how would you spend your time?...  Would you be out there somewhere partying?  Would you be watching the Jets game?  Would you be here, worshiping?  Would you be with friends, or family, or both?  Or would you spend the night praying, in order to be with God?...  Your answer most likely has something to do with what you believe to be most important in life.

         In Jesus’ case, he chose to spend it with his closest friends, even though they often acted as if they weren’t his friends at all.  He chose to be with them and to teach them – much as you might do if there were things that you wanted to teach your children in your last hours.  Jesus teaches them, not just by talking to them, but by giving them things to do.

         “Do this in remembrance of me.”  Take the bread, give thanks, and break it.  “This is my body that is for you.”  Take the cup, give thanks, and share it.  For “this cup is the new covenant in my blood.  Do this… in remembrance of me” (1 Cor. 11:24-25).  Jesus does this not just for his closest friends, but for all those who will come after them.  They are to continue to eat the bread and drink from the cup, for all those who do so will “proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

         This part we remember often.  This part seems appropriate to us – something that befits the Son of God.  However, how many of us could see ourselves bending down and washing dirty, smelly, gnarled feet during our final hours on this earth?  I’m guessing that this wouldn’t be near the top of our list of things to do.  Yet, obviously Jesus thinks that this is important.

         Once again, he is teaching his disciples, and once again, he is giving them something to do.  “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (Jn. 13:14).  This does not just have to do with feet, but with humble, loving service.

         The reason that Peter objected so much is that Jesus was lowering himself to do the task of a servant.  What Peter doesn’t say, but could have, is that Peter should have been serving Jesus, and not the other way around.  However, in a way, that is the whole point.  Jesus came as one who serves, and those who want to follow him also need to be ready to offer humble, loving service to one another.  In fact, this is how outsiders will know who has put their trust in Jesus, for they will see us loving one another just as Jesus has first loved us.

         One final thing that Jesus does during his last night on this earth is to spend time in prayer.  Once again, he gives his disciples something to do, asking them to pray with him.  However, by this time they are so tired that they fall asleep instead.  Once again, though, Jesus is setting an example, not just for his closest friends, but also for us.  Throughout his time on this earth, prayer was an essential part of Jesus’ life – always maintaining that close connection with God and refueling, so that the Holy Spirit could continue to work through him.

         So, to return to our original question, what would you be doing if this were your last night on earth?...  Your answer would reflect what is most important to you, just as Jesus reflected what is most important to him.  Pray.  Do this in remembrance of me.  Love one another as I have loved you.  Jesus spent his last hours in humble, loving service – not just for his disciples, but for all those whom he loves – including us.  Thanks be to God!  Amen.

Maundy Thursday                                                    John 13:1-17, 31b-35

March 29, 2018                                                        1 Corinthians 11:23-26

St. Francis Anglican Church

Pastor Lynne Hutchison

© 2018 Lynne Hutchison  All Rights Reserved