Sermon
Maundy Thursday
Text
John 13:1-17, 31b-35 – Loving by serving
The
last 12 months or so has seen the news dominated by some of the worst terrorist
attacks and threats since September 11.
And
again we have seen this played out in Brussels.
The
reason behind these attacks is supposedly not because of their hate of the
people they are attacking but because of their love for God.
And
they believe that this is what God would want them to do.
For
Christians we see our relationship with God in the same way:
What
we do is because we love God.
And
what we do is what we believe God would want us to do.
As
Jesus reminds us when he is asked what the greatest commandment is – he
responds – to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and
strength.
What
is significant however, for Christians, is what followed next:
The
2nd commandment is like it – love your neighbour as yourself.
Therefore
we could not express our love for God by hurting our neighbour.
No
matter how much a person strays from God – even if they are diametrically
opposed to God – they are still created by God and bear God’s image and so to
hurt them is to hurt God whose image they bear.
And
despite what they believe about God, they are still people for whom Christ
died.
But
there is also a difference in how we see our relationship with God.
As
servants of God we are also servants of one another.
And
we are given the example tonight as WE are served BY God.
Jesus
was sent as an example of a servant of all.
He
came, not to be served but to serve.
And
Jesus shows that we don’t serve God or our neighbour by hurting them.
Jesus
came to show the love of God expressed in the most intimate form:
God
loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
And
now Jesus passes that on to us as he sits down with his disciples and serves
them by washing their feet as an act of servanthood.
And
then he steps ups and says – a new commandment I give to you – love one
another.
As
I have loved you so you are to love one another – and by this others will know
you’re my disciples.
Not
by acts of terrorism, violence or any other form of hurt towards our fellow
human beings.
No,
by showing unconditional love.
And
Jesus will show the extent of that love – not by taking another’s life but by
giving his own life.
And
then, as St Paul says: what I received from the Lord I now pass on to you.
The
giving of one’s life for the serving of God as we see in Holy Communion.
And
that’s the big difference – we are servants of God – and servants of our
neighbour.
And
as servants we serve God and those created in God’s image – our fellow human
beings.
Jesus’
model of foot washing exemplifies love and service.
He
shows that love is not just an emotion or idea but an action.
And
he shows that love is not an action that hurts or excludes.
When
Peter wanted to be excluded from Jesus washing his feet he thought he was
showing love and respect to Jesus – “You will never wash my feet."
But
Jesus shows that love is fully inclusive.
It
doesn’t reject anyone – it makes no demands.
So
when we come to the table this evening we hear – “take and eat – take and
drink” and no more.
Not
take and eat if.. or take and drink when…
There
are no conditions because God’s gift of salvation and life is available to all
through Christ’s victory on the cross.
There
is no sin so great that Christ’s death does not cover it – even those who put
him to death were offered forgiveness – forgive them Father they don’t know
what they are doing (Luke 23:34).
There
is no sin so small that we do not bring it to the cross to hear the comfort of
Christ’s forgiveness.
This
night was a special night – even though just the 12 were present they represent
us all, including Judas who too was offered Christ’s body and blood – none were
excluded.
So
may you go from here knowing that it’s not about being worthy enough but about
being included.
We
show God how much we love him by showing the same unconditional love to our
neighbour.
Washing
his disciples’ feet broke all the accepted conventions for a teacher and
master.
But
then again, God’s love breaks all accepted conventions.
God’s
love commands that we love our enemy.
God’s
love commands that we eat with sinners.
God’s
love loves the unlovable.
God’s
love loves unconditionally.
And
we thank God for that because you and I fit into all those categories and more
for it was while we were yet sinners that Christ died for us for God first
loved us.
Jesus
washing his disciples’ feet is not how we would use all the power of God if it
was available to us.
It
isn’t the way power is usually used in our world: nations dominate nations; businesses take
over weaker rivals, political leaders call each other names and yell at each
other.
And
that’s what Peter couldn’t understand when he firstly wanted to take the glory
road, when he refused to have Jesus wash his feet, and when he used his sword
to cut off the ear of Jesus’ attacker.
Today’s
gospel is an example of using power to the benefit and for the good of others.
Jesus’
use of power is an example to us and it begins by loving and serving God and
our neighbour.
So
may God bless you as you prepare for tomorrow’s Good Friday where you will
again witness the greatest act of servanthood as Jesus lays down his life for
us and the world.