This week is Holy Week for Christians throughout the world, and today is Maundy Thursday, marking the anniversary of the last full day of Jesus’ earthly ministry. It should not, therefore, be surprising that it was a day filled with profound teaching – teaching that should be just as impactful in our lives today as it was for those first disciples approximately 2,000 years ago. The Last Supper, held in an upper room, was the setting for most of that teaching, but to understand the depth of the teaching, we need to know more about the setting than just the location.
Jesus had previously announced to his disciples that he knew what was about to happen. He knew that he would be arrested while in Jerusalem, that he would be beaten and mocked by the religious leaders, and that he would be killed on a cross. And he also knew that he would be betrayed by one who was closest to him. Jesus knew that this betrayal would take place that very evening, by Judas Iscariot.
Yet even though he knew that all of this would take place, Jesus started this Last Supper by washing the feet of all of his disciples. The master would humble himself, performing the task normally assigned to the lowliest servant, and wash twelve pairs of feet. His purpose was to demonstrate to his disciples that if they were to truly follow him, they must be servant leaders as opposed to leaders who were expecting to be served. However, by washing one particular pair of feet, Jesus provided us with one of the most difficult lessons for us to learn.
Not too long after the water would be dried from his feet, Judas Iscariot would dirty his feet again by leaving the meal and leading a crowd that would come to arrest Jesus. Jesus knew this, even remarked about it, but still was willing to love the one who would betray him and bring about immeasurable physical, emotional and spiritual pain. Then later in the evening, Jesus would give his disciples a new commandment – that they would love one another as he had loved them.
Jesus loved them by going to the cross for them. Jesus also demonstrated his love by serving even one who would cause him enormous harm. He didn’t wash eleven pairs of feet and then tell Judas that he could wash his own grubby toes. Jesus loved so much that he even washed Judas, and then he told his followers that they should do likewise.
I’m not a fan of this lesson. Over the course of my life, there have been people who have wished me ill, and some have even worked with purpose to bring that about. Frankly, I would prefer not to do anything nice for them. However, Jesus doesn’t give me that option. Elsewhere Jesus would state that we should bless those who persecute us, and it is worth pointing out that Jesus wasn’t big on making suggestions or offering his opinion. Jesus was giving commandments that he expects his true disciples will follow, whether they like it or not.
Can you imagine how radically different the world would be today if all who claimed to be Christians would follow this lesson and bless those who persecute them, or wash the feet of those who would betray them? I suspect the impact would be immediate and remarkable. And as we bring Holy Week to a miraculous conclusion on Resurrection/Easter Sunday, perhaps we can finally agree that if we are to rise with Christ, we should live like him, even loving those who are the hardest to love.
Peace and blessings – Pastor Aaron