Th, 04/02/15, Thursday of Holy Week, "Day of Praise"
"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." - John 13:3-5
Tonight, our church, along with many others in the world, will observe Maundy Thursday with a worship service that includes Holy Communion, the stripping of the altar, and foot-washing.
Our Associate Pastor, Pastor Scott Hawkins, is very gifted at Maundy Thursday sermons, which are the very first part of Maundy Thursday worship. He helps people understand the two most misunderstood parts of this day's worship, namely, the word "Maundy" and the purpose of foot-washing.
"Maundy" simply means "mandate" or "command" because this is the day when Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples and "commanded" them to "love one another."
And the way Jesus commanded his disciples to love one another was by washing one another's feet.
If you go to a website like www.Biblegateway.com and put "wash feet" in the search, you will easily see a theme with footwashing. From the Bible's first book of Genesis and beyond, foot-washing is a means that God has ordained for giving rest to the body, renewal to the heart, and restoration to relationships.
Need I say more?
How does Jesus love us in John 13? He washes our feet to give rest, renewal, and restoration.
So doesn't it make sense that Jesus commands us in John 13 to love one another by stooping down in love and by washing each other's feet? For God has ordained that we share rest, renewal, and restoration to bring healing to our bodies, our hearts, and our relationships.
I pray you'll believe Jesus and find a Maundy Thursday worship service today where you can experience foot-washing and, in so doing, practice what we're commanded to do everyday: stoop down and love one another as God, in Christ, stoops down and loves us.
Today on Maundy Thursday and everyday, may God grant you the sure knowledge of his love through Christ, mutual love with all people, and the rest, renewal, and restoration for which all of us long.
Praise God!
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