Image from clcmc.org
Palms at the parade; waved at the King; selected, plucked, used as part of that which glorified God's plan. The kernels of wheat chosen, ground, mixed, shaped, baked; the grapes, fresh once on a vine, selected, picked, stomped, juiced, and used - both of these set on the table later to be used by the hands of He who came to save the world, shared with twelve and more as they heard the words of body and blood, remembrance, sins, forgiveness and praise; vessels of grace and truth, blessed and used to bless.
Come we now this night to that which happened for us:
Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that the time had come to leave this world to go to the Father. Having loved his dear companions, he continued to love them right to the end. It was suppertime. The Devil by now had Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, firmly in his grip, all set for the betrayal. Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God. So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron. When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, "Master, you wash my feet?" Jesus answered, "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later." Peter persisted, "You're not going to wash my feet - ever!" Jesus said, "If I don't wash you, you can't be part of what I'm doing." "Master!" said Peter. "Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!" Jesus said, "If you've had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you're clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you're clean. But not every one of you." (He knew who was betraying him. That's why he said, "Not every one of you.") After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table. You address me as 'Teacher' and 'Master,' and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other's feet. I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do. I'm only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn't give orders to the employer. If you understand what I'm telling you, act like it - and live a blessed life.Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man is seen for who he is, and God seen for who he is in him. The moment God is seen in him, God's glory will be on display. In glorifying him, he himself is glorified - glory all around! "Children, I am with you for only a short time longer. You are going to look high and low for me. But just as I told the Jews, I'm telling you: 'Where I go, you are not able to come.' "Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples - when they see the love you have for each other." (John 13:1-17; 31b-35 The Message)
Love one anther. A new commandment. From the Latin Maundatum giving us Maundy Thursday, for this night Jesus said, "This is how they will know you are my disciples in that you love one another.
Love one another, meaning everyone, no exceptions. Every one.
PRAYER: Lord, let me start with loving You in the ways I should, with all I have, then let me love me in healthy, appropriate ways; then let me love others, every person I see and meet. Let me known as one of Yours. In Thy name I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Tonight, most churches will have a Maundy Thursday service. I invite you to find one in which to remember this special night. Our church, First UMC of Gonzales, this evening at 6pm in our Fellowship Hall will have a full supper and a celebration of this special Lord's Supper. Everyone is welcome!
Prayers please, for Nellie and me as we fight off the last of this cold that has really wiped the two of us out. We hope to be ready for Easter! Pray for one another. Pray for yourselves.
