Holy Week (Thursday)

Read Luke 22:7-46

Today is "Maundy Thursday." This is the night before Jesus is betrayed and He institutes what, for us, is the equivalent of the Passover. If you recall yesterday we discussed the bloody commemoration of God's deliverance of His people THROUGH the blood painted on the doorframes of their homes. We Recalled how figuratively the blood of Jesus painted on the doors of our hearts allows us to move from judgement to joy (see Romans 10:9-10). Why "Maundy" such a strange word. Well, it is an old-english word pertaining to foot washing, something Jesus selflessly did upon entry to the upper room where the Last Supper was held with the disciples. Lets pick up the story again...

THE SCENE

Where did Judas go? I saw him talking with one of those 'religious' leaders and hanging back for a little, kind of like he didn't want to be seen. I wonder what he's up to? 

It was evening by now and the ragged bunch of disciples had gathered in an upper room to eat a meal together. Little did they realize the eternal significance of what they were about to partake and be witness to. Everyone shuffles in after Peter and John had made preparation. Walking right past the basin of water and a towel at the entrance, oblivious as a young teenage boy is to the shower he requires. What transpired next is nothing short of stunning, especially for those who must have witnessed it.

All crowd around the table and lie back on one arm, chairs are a luxury we possess that they did not. Without fanfare and no proclamation, Jesus rises and wraps a towel around his waist; walking to the basin of water he kneels down in front of Peter. Recognizing what is about to happen there is protest. Who wants to have their feet washed by the one who is their undisputed leader? It feels profane in some measure.

The holy hush in the room is deafening. There are ten men who are certain they will follow this man to anywhere, but don't realize their own weakness, one man internally assured he will follow Him in to death but will later deny even knowing Jesus, and one man who was already paid off and scheming how to hand over his "friend."

EVERY one of them got their feet washed. Their dirty, stench-laden, ingrown toenail feet, washed. Every one. Imagine the emotion running through you if you were the twelfth one in line... What must that person have been conjuring up in their mind? How surreal was THAT moment?

Next the meal begins. A prayer of thanks and wine is shared. He has just said, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer…" the glances around the room begin and minds wonder, "...before I suffer," this is so strange. First, he is riding on a donkey and people are proclaiming him king and next he is talking about how he "must suffer" while we share a glass of good wine. It's all too much for me to take in. Then, bread is taken after thanks is offered and he breaks it in order to share it. The meaning of that physical act is even profound.

In the course of the meal Jesus UNLOADS on them a virtual storehouse of personal truth regarding the Person and Work of the Holy Spirit (See John 14-16). The disciples, totally missing the point their squeaky clean feet portray, argue who will be regarded as the greatest - SERIOUSLY?

Unpredictably, characteristic of Jesus, he foretells Peter's denial but overlays it with the declaration of his repentance as a result of prayer (Luke 22:31-32). Then, in a move only the Master can enlist, he commissions Peter to use his failure and denial as a springboard for life and ministry, "I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." In essence, "Lead from weakness, like me." 

Some quick observations: One, in the original passover the blood was precisely applied to a doorframe (Exodus 12:7). Two, tomorrow when we look at the crucifixion we will notice that the blood of Jesus, as Matthew's Gospel tells us (Matt. 26:28) "...this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." 

If Maundy Thursday is not really about nasty first-century feet being washed but about the lowly nature of our HIGH and EXALTED Savior (see Philippians 2:1-11) maybe I ought to ask myself a question or two:

1. Have I allowed myself to be served by this lowly but exalted King? Has He washed me? Not just in a salvation sense (are you "saved") but also in a present reality, I still can struggle with sin - sense?  
2. If leadership is not nullified by humble service, but rather is its embodiment; what simple principles can I apply in my marriage, parenting, work relationships, family relationships, neighbors, etc? 
3. What would it look like if the ENTIRE BODY of CHRIST applied the BLOOD OF JESUS personally to the doors of their heart and lived from that HUMBLE BOLDNESS?