Exodus 12:1-14
Melissa and I have a collection of church cookbooks. It is interesting some of the culinary jewels you can find in these books. Some of the recipes are old family recipes that go back for generations. I remember one recipe for southern fried chicken. When I saw it my mouth just watered. What age old secret to this southern delicacy would be revealed? So I started reading. The first direction was "day before - pick out chicken." There was another recipe for venison stew. The first direction was "kill a deer."
In our prepackaged processed world we have lost touch with some of the more messy realities of life. And so I think we miss the realities of what happened at the Passover. The first direction was to pick out a lamb - one without a blemish only a year old. But the second direction was to kill it. Then the blood was drained from its carcass and spread on the doorposts on the house. Then it was roasted whole.
The Passover lamb was not a leg of lamb wrapped in cellophane from Bi-Lo. It was a living breathing creature that was sacrificed to redeem Israel out of death. And the Israelites could not escape that reality.
Now God is not one to order his people to do something he is not willing to do himself. So God picked out a lamb, one that was spotless, his own Son. Then he allowed it to be sacrificed. It was a bloody ordeal. If Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" did nothing else it showed us that reality. And the blood drained from his veins was applied to the doors of our hearts and lives to redeem us from death.
In college I was in a Christian clown troop. Our specialty was worship services conducted in pantomime. One of the things we did was serve communion. As a minister prayer the prayer of Great Thanksgiving we acted out the meaning. We would wrap the bread in a blanket and hold it like a baby. Then we would unwrap it and hold it up in one hand. In the other hand we held a cross and slowly brought to two together. Once the loaf of bread was on the cross we would break it. People would audibly gasp when they saw it. But what we were acting out was exactly what Jesus said, "This is my Body broken for you."
Isn't this communion table neat and pretty? Nice white linens and nice pottery with bread and grape juice. Let's not miss the reality behind this nice clean presentation. Jesus said this is my body, this is blood. We have cleaned it all up to bring it into church. But salvation was actually a dirty bloody job. Let us not forget that.
John 13:1-20
Feet are dirty, if you take some time to think about it. We wrap them up in shoes all the time. But they still tend to get dirtier than the rest of us. Feet are dirty today, but they were even dirtier in Jesus' day. Back then people wore sandals or went barefoot. And the streets were made of mud or dirt and sanitation was not what it is today. No telling what someone had stepped in. As a result only the lowest slave would wash another's feet. It was a dirty, demeaning, nasty but necessary chore.
Yet Jesus washed his disciples feet. This was an act of Love; the same kind of self-sacrificial love that led Jesus to the cross. Even though Jesus was the teacher, and Master, and Lord he served his disciples like a lowly slave. It was such a shock that Peter at first refused to let Jesus wash his feet. He was the "Son of God" and Peter had confessed as much. It would not be right for God's Son to wash the feet of a sinner. But that was precisely what Jesus was sent to do.
Jesus had said that the greatest among them was the humblest. And that night he practiced what he preached. The one they had hailed as Messiah, the Son of the living God, stooped to take on a humiliating chore for their benefit. Just as he would soon take on the humiliating task of dying for their salvation.
Foot washing, as an act of worship, has caught on in many churches, including those church that have more formal means of worship like Lutheran, Episcopal and Roman Catholic. At U.S.C. I roomed for two years with a Lutheran who later went to Seminary and is now a Lutheran Pastor. One day we were planning a foot washing service for the Campus Ministry Center. I felt that Jesus was setting an example for us by washing the disciple's feet. After all Jesus said, "I am setting an example for you. That you should wash one another's feet." Jesus loved and served to the end, and so should we. So I felt that in the service we should wash one another's feet.
Harold, my Lutheran friend, saw something in what Jesus did that I did not. He thought that foot washing was primarily something that Jesus did for his disciples. He said it was like a sacrament. A sacrament is a gift from God. God gave us himself as our Heavenly Father and his act of adopting us is symbolized in the water of baptism. Jesus God's Son gave his body and his blood to give us salvation and that is symbolized in the bread and wine of communion. In the same way the Christ serves all of us.
In foot washing the gift is forgiveness and the symbol is the servant washing the feet. Jesus loves us enough to undergo the demeaning task of washing the dirt of our sinfulness off our souls. The little sins that we commit each day that accumulate and dirty our lives as represented in the dirt on the disciples' feet. For this reason Harold thought the priest or minister should wash the congregation's feet.
I think we were both right. Jesus makes that clear. Jesus clearly said that we should love one another as he loved us. That love includes being a servant to others.
But he also said that it represented cleansing. Not the cleansing of redemption that the waters of baptism represent. Jesus said that Peter didn't need his whole body washed. He had accepted Christ. Through that acceptance the stain of original sin was washed away with all the sins he had ever committed. This is the washing off of the everyday dirt we accumulate by living in a sinful and dirty world. Like us, he had failed to love God and his neighbor since he had confessed Christ. So Jesus graciously offered to wash that dirt off him also.
Foot washing is a symbol of the forgiveness followers receive from Christ and it is also an example of servanthood for us to follow. For that reason, I will wash your feet and you will have an opportunity to wash another's feet. I will invite you to come forward so I can wash your feet. This will be a symbol of what God does for us. Jesus humbled himself to cleanse us of our sin. Then you will have the option of returning to your pew or of washing the next person's feet. This will symbolize our obedience to Jesus' command that his disciples serve one another. If you prefer you may simply observe and remember how Christ washed his disciples' feet.
While all this is going on the congregation will be sitting and singing. This time of foot washing and singing will also be a time of confession. The Bible tells us to seek forgiveness of our sins before coming to the Lord's table. And that is the very forgiveness that is represented in Jesus' washing his disciples' feet.
John 13:1-30
It's getting dark. This last Sunday we celebrated Palm Sunday. We sang hosannas to our Lord. And our children waved palm branches.
But its beginning to get dark now. The story of Jesus' final visit to Jerusalem is about to take a very dark turn. Tonight we celebrate Maundy Thursday. We will remember how Jesus instituted the breaking of bread. That holy meal that at the very least calls to mind Christ's sacrifice. Then tomorrow we have the Good Friday prayer vigil. during it we will meditate on the events surrounding the crucifixion of God's Son. We will remember how the Sun refused to shine.
But right now we are in the twilight. We are somewhere between Jesus' glorious entry into Jerusalem and his tragic death on a cross. Somewhere between "Hosanna" and "Crucify him." And we are headed towards that darkest of all afternoons. It's getting dark.
But we like the dark. Oh, people will say, "Isn't it a shame that it is getting dark." But it's really the dark side of life that attracts people. It's the dark stories, the ones about vampires, monsters and man eating sharks that sell the most movie tickets. We are intrigued by what psychologists call the shadow or the subconscious. "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows."
Our fascination with Judas is an example of this attraction to the shadows. Ask people who their favorite disciple is and they will say Peter, or Matthew, or Mary Magdalene, or Bartholomew. But none will say "Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus." The one whose very name means "betrayal." The darkest of the disciples. Yet, let the truth be told, he is the one that intrigues us most. That is why when the play writers dramatize Jesus' passion it's the Judas character that is developed the most. The guy playing Judas gets the best part from an actor's point of view. Because the writer spends more time trying to figure Judas out. Peter gets a pretty good part, but only because he betrays Jesus too.
Judas fascinates us because he is the most human of the characters. After all Judas was the darkest of all the disciples, and people are really attracted to the dark.
Considering the evil that Judas embodies, it amazes me how gracious Jesus was to Judas. If you read the Gospel of John carefully you can see what I mean. Jesus knew from the beginning that Judas would betray him. Yet he reached out to Judas and made him a follower. Jesus placed him in charge of the money for the poor. Jesus even washed Judas' feet. Jesus offered Judas every grace that he offered the other disciples. Right up to the moment when Judas made that final decision to betray Jesus.
In our scripture lesson it is clear that Jesus knew exactly what was going on in Judas' heart. As Jesus sat down with his disciples he told them that one of them would betray him. And when the beloved disciple asked who it was Jesus was able do give him a sign. Jesus dipped a morsel and gave it to Judas.
We see this morsel as merely a sign to the disciple on Christ's breast as to who would betray him. But it was more. That Gesture was also a sign of friendship. In culture of that time and place is was a token of friendship to give a choice morsel of food to someone. This was an act of grace on Jesus' part. Perhaps it may have even been a final opportunity for Judas to repent of the evil he had planned. Jesus knew Judas would betray him, yet he still reached out in love.
Despite this token of love Judas went about his plans to betray Jesus. It says that after the morsel, Satan entered Judas. At the moment that Jesus was reaching out in love, Judas was resolving to betray him. It is no wonder that Judas later completed his betrayal with a kiss. Judas took that sign of friendship and went out to sell Jesus to the highest bidder.
And as Judas went out it was night. Like us he was attracted to the dark. So he went out into the dark and betrayed his Lord.
Because of Judas' betrayal, Jesus died. Because Judas flirted with the powers of darkness Jesus was nailed to a cross. Judas loved the dark and was attracted to it. And the only sinless person in the world died a cruel death. Because of Judas' sin, Jesus died. But Jesus also died for Judas' sin.
It's getting dark. And we have all had our flirtations with darkness. Because of those sins, Jesus died. But Jesus also died for our salvation.
That is why we have come here to have our feet washed. Not because our feet are dirty. But because our souls are dirty and we need Jesus to wash them. Remember how Peter reacted when Jesus came to wash his feet? He said, "No Lord, you will not wash my feet." But Jesus said, "unless I wash you, you have no part with me." We mush come to Christ to be washed clean of our sins. We must come to the light because we have loved the darkness.
Come tonight to have your feet washed. And remember how Jesus washed his disciples feet because he loved them. But also remember that Jesus loves you and cleanses you. Jesus is here in spirit tonight, but we are the only flesh he has in this realm. So when you come you are invited to not only have your feet washed but to wash another's feet.
Come and receive this symbol of forgiveness from God.
John 13:1-20, 31-35
Love: what is it? The world says: "Love is a many splendored thing." "What the world needs now is love sweet love it's the only thing that there's just too little of." "Love is a warm puppy." "Love means never having to say you're sorry."
Once upon a time a preacher heard about another preacher who had broken the world record by preaching the longest sermon. He felt that he couldn't manage that without boring someone to death so he decided to preach the world's shortest sermon. He thought and pondered and prayed to make it a genuine sermon. When the time came for him to preach he got up and said one word, "Love"
The Bible says: "God is love." "And this is love that a man lay down his live for his friends." "Love is patient love is kind it is not boastful or self seeking." "These three abide: Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is Love."
There are many different understandings of love and we had better decide which one is ours. Jesus said, "Love one another as I have loved you." He called this his new commandments and he gave it to his disciples. If we are going to fulfill that commandment we had better decide what love really is. Is it the world's understanding of a many splendored thing that is like a warm puppy and never needing to apologize? Or is it the Bible's all mighty gift that is patient and kind? And what does it look like in real life? What will it look like in my life?
But I think Jesus knew we would be faced with this question. In a sense he answered it in the commandment itself. Jesus said we are to love one another, but How? He went on, "As I have loved you."
How had Jesus loved his disciples? By serving them! He stooped to his knees and washed their feet. He, their Lord, became their servant.
What is love? I belong to the generation of Fathers who were proud to change their children's diapers. Now don't misunderstand me I never sought out the opportunity to change their diapers. But when it had to be done I did it. Before I had my own children I had never changed a diaper. But because I loved my children I was willing to take on that disgusting task. In short love made the difference: because I loved them I would take on a task I would not have otherwise.
That is what Jesus did for us - he changed our diapers theologically speaking. He takes it upon himself to do the dirty work. Not because there is something in it for him. He does it simply because he loves us.
We messed ourselves up with sin. And out of love Jesus is willing to clean us up. To wash our dirty feet. To die for our forgiveness.
That is love and that is how it looks in our lives. Jesus said, "Love one another." We can do that! All of you here tonight are perfectly lovable people. That is easy.
Jesus said, "Love your neighbor" OK, I live in a nice neighborhood. Not everyone is easy to get a long with. But I can look past that and love them. It's a little harder but I can love my neighbor.
Jesus said, "Love your enemy." Umm, now we have a problem. You see it is hard to love someone who has hurt you. But it can be done. It is difficult, but with God's help, I can handle that.
Jesus said, "As I have loved you." Uh-Oh! Jesus' loved his disciples by washing their feet and dying because of their sins. Am I willing to wash my enemies' feet, to stoop and be vulnerable to them?
This "Love" commandment of Jesus', to "love one another as I have loved you," is not the sugar coated saying we often think it is. It's a hard saying. It's a difficult commandment to fulfill. But it is why we are here tonight.
We are here because Jesus loved us enough to shed his blood and hand his body over to be broken. And that is how we are to love one another. To follow his lead in love.
So we will practice love here tonight. We will have the opportunity to express love by washing each other's feet just as our Lord did. We are all friends here so it will not be hard. But perhaps this practice will prepare us for later when we are called upon to wash our enemies feet.
"This night will be a remembrance to you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord" throughout your generations you shall celebrate it as a perpetual ordinance." After 400 years of slavery God came to free the children of Israel. Through a series of nine plagues, each one an attack on one or more of the Egyptian gods, The Almighty demonstrated that there is only one true God. Then in one final plague on the first born of all Egypt, God broke the will of Pharaoh. Each Hebrew was given a choice: feast on a lamb sacrificed to God or seek refuge with the Egyptians. And as they huddled in houses marked by the blood of an innocent unblemished lamb, the angel of death passed over them and descended on the houses of the Egyptians.
This event was so important that God instituted an annual festival as a reminder of what had happened. But how could they forget! The power of the Almighty was being made manifest among mortals. How could they forget death itself bypassing them because of the blood of the lamb? How could that fade in their memories?
But God knew humans better than that. We are all forgetful. We were originally created in the image of the all-knowing God who never forgets. But through sin we have fallen into a state where we also seem to forget the important things. So God instituted a feast as an annual reminder. And each year the texture of the unleavened bread and the taste of the bitter herbs reminded the Israelites of their slavery. The aroma of the roasted lamb and the sound of the hymns reminded them of the sweet sound and smell of salvation and freedom. God used all the senses to remind the people, because people are so forgetful.
Oh, what was the point I was trying to make? (carefully examining sermon notes) Forgetful me! Oh yes Jesus! Jesus was also aware of his disciples' forgetfulness. They, like the ancient Israelites, were living through a manifestation of God's might among mortals. They were about to see the Lamb of God slain for the sins of the world. They were going to see the blood that protects all who are under it from the forces of spiritual death. They were about to see the love of God made plain.
But Jesus knew that they would forget. So he gave them some reminders. First, using shock value he their teacher, their Lord, washed their feet like a slave. Then he broke the bread and said, "This is my body." And the poured the wine and said, "This is my blood." Then he said, "Do this in memory of me."
And we gather here tonight for the annual observance of these acts of God's only begotten Son. And the sound and feel of the water reminds us the forgiveness that washes away our sins. And the sight of a pastor and church members stooping to wash our feet reminds us of God's love. The breaking of the bread and the pouring of the juice remind us how Jesus' body was broken and his blood poured out for our salvation. The sweet taste of the bread and grape juice remind us of the sweetness of God's grace and mercy.
Don't forget these things, but remember!
In Exodus 12 God instructs Moses and Aaron on how Israel is to celebrate the feast of the Passover. For the Jews the Passover is a celebration of God's salvation. The name "Passover" came from a description of the events of that fateful night. A destroying angel literally passed over the Hebrews but brought judgment upon the Egyptians. God had sent nine plagues on Egypt to convince Pharaoh to let Israel go.
The tenth and last plague was on all the firstborn in the land. But before the plague, God instructed each Israelite families to sacrifice a lamb and place it's blood on the door posts as a sign on their faith in God. They were instructed to roast the lamb and eat it all by morning and also to eat unleavened bread and bitter herbs. And that night an angel came and slew the firstborn of the Egyptians but it passed over the houses of the Hebrews.
Each part of this holy meal had a special meaning. The bitter herbs were to remind them of the bitterness of slavery. The unleavened bread was to remind them that they had to leave Egypt so quickly that they didn't have time to leaven their bread. They were to eat this meal in their traveling clothes to remind them of the journey out of slavery. The lamb reminded them of the sacrifice that protected the people from the destroying angel.
Each year afterwards the Hebrews were to celebrate this meal. It became a major celebration of God's salvation. God had spared those who were under the blood of the Passover lamb. God had defeated the mighty Egyptian masters and proven that the Egyptian god's were powerless. And God had brought the Children of Israel out of slavery.
It's no accident that the Lord's Supper took place during the Passover festival. After all Passover was celebrated to remember that God had saved in the past and to affirm the belief that God continues to save in the present. When the disciples gathered for that Last Supper with their Lord before his death, the Passover was in their minds. It was in this context that Jesus took bread and blessed it and broke it and said, "This is my body." And the disciples had in mind the blood of Passover lamb when he took the cup and said, "This is my blood." And it was during the slaughter of the Passover lambs the next day that Jesus was sacrificed on the cross.
Like Passover, the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion is a celebration of God's salvation. It reminds us how God has saved us through the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. Each part of this meal reminds us of that salvation. The bread that is broken reminds us that Christ's body was broken for our sins. The cup reminds of Jesus' blood shed for our salvation.
This celebration and remembrance of God's saving act is not that different from the Passover. The Passover reminds us how God saved Israel from slavery to the Egyptians. The Lord's Supper reminds us how God has saved us from slavery to sin and death. At Passover those who put their faith in God were under the blood of the Passover lamb sprinkled on their door posts. Today those who believe in the Lord are under the blood of the lamb of God that washes away our sins.
But the Lord's Supper is more than a remembrance of what God did in the past. It is a reminder that God still saves and that God will continue to save. When we celebrate this meal it is more than a reminder of the past. In this meal Christ is present feeding us spiritually. Different churches have different ways of expressing that, but we Methodists call it real presence. Christ is present and blesses those who celebrate this meal in faith.
And God is saving people today. God is still leading people out of slavery. The blood of Christ is still washing the stain of sins from people's lives. Today God is leading people out of slavery to sin and out of slavery to addictions. God is leading people out of slavery to abusive relationships.
And God will continue to deliver people from slavery. In fact the promise that God gives us is that Christ will come again. And when Christ comes again he will do away with every form of evil that oppresses the human being. And there will be a feast. A feast of victory that celebrated God's victory over evil.
Come! Celebrate the victory of our Lord. Remember how God led the children of Israel out of Egypt. Remember the bitterness of their slavery and the suddenness of their freedom. Remember how God protected those who in faith put the blood of the lamb on their door posts. And remember that God continues to free people from slavery to wicked masters.
Come! Celebrate how God gave his only Son to die for our sins. Remember how Jesus handed over his body to be broken. Remember how his blood was shed. And remember that God continues to save and protect those who in faith have accepted the blood of the lamb to cleans their hearts.
Come! Celebrate the promise of the victory feast to come. Christ the Lamb of God will come again. And by the authority of his blood he will cleans creation of all wickedness and evil. Christ will destroy all wickedness but he will Passover those who have put themselves under his blood. And the faithful will sit at a table and share in the ultimate feat of victory.