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Gospel for Maundy Thursday
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
13:1 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. 13:2 The adversary had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 13:3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 13:4 got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 13:5 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.
13:6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
13:7 Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
13:8 Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." 13:9 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" 13:10 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."
13:11 For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean."
13:12 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? 13:13 You call me Teacher and Lord--and you are right, for that is what I am. 13:14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 13:15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 13:16 Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 13:17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
13:31b When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 13:32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 13:33 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.' 13:34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 13:35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
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 The message of Maundy Thursday is usually taken to be the principle of the servant leader - Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. This is an extraordinary object lesson in the 'outworking' of compassion and service, but soaring above all such practical examples of Jesus' beliefs stands this line - I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you.
This is amongst the most vital and life changing revelations in all scripture. It surpasses all 'spiritual technology' - techniques and habits of life that may lead to virtue, and points us to a new life resting upon this shining tenet. It absorbs and transfigured all human action and belief, and renders bankrupt all that does not seek loving-kindness. Let it lead us wherever it may - even if it is to death, and what lies beyond it.
Precious Lord; Help us to love with all encompassing passion this Easter week, and follow loves light wherever it may lead. In Jesus name. Amen. |
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Come and worship with us this Easter. We meet for our Service of the Ressurection at 5.00pm on Easter Sunday at 1333 S. Carrollton Ave. New Orleans. Choir meets as usual this Thursday at 7.00pm
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