March 24, 2016, Maundy Thursday

We have a cabinet in our dining room filled with old dishes and glasses that we have collected from friends and family over the years. Some of the dishes we only use for special occasions. Some of it we never use – family heirlooms we keep for sentimental reasons. Once in a great while we bring out some odd thing: a gravy boat or a vase. Our children and our friends have no idea what it means to us to have it on our table. They may appreciate the decoration while we see old friends joining us at the table again.

I suspect some of this is going on for us tonight. There are many familiar parts to the story. We remember how Jesus begins to teach us about communion. This bread is his body. This cup is his blood. We anticipate the rest of the story. He will go out to begin his work of sacrifice and salvation. Then Jesus brings out something strange that is not familiar. He gets a towel and some water and he washes feet.

This is an act of hospitality. It was common in his culture to wash the feet of guests. It was a humble act, performed by the lowest servant. The washing is not strange to the disciples, it is the most common act of welcome. The surprise is that Jesus does the washing himself.

We are put off by this strange custom. It is a little too intimate. It is odd. Once in a while my children take out my cast iron pan for making Swedish pancakes and they wonder what it is and why anyone would save it. I don’t make the pancakes, but I remember my grandparents and my father making pancakes on Christmas morning. In the same way, we have a bin marked “foot-washing stuff” that we take out of storage every year. We have lost the memory of the custom tied to the practice. We repeat the strange ritual to remind us of something greater.

Jesus will go on to offer himself for our salvation. Tonight we remember an act of love. He takes on the role of servant. He serves the disciples (and us) and tells them, “Love one another as I have loves you.” A simple request and a profound request. We wonder if we can possibly love as deeply or as perfectly as our savior. Then Jesus shows us how. Wash feet. Show love. Continue simple acts of hospitality and kindness. Share food. Keep company along the way. Listen. Embrace.

We do well to see the presence of Christ in the bread and wine. Jesus reminds us to see his presence in this body as well. We are Christ to the world. We are Christ to each other.

The strange custom of foot washing may be difficult for us. Love often requires that we extend ourselves to try or say something difficult or awkward. We must risk foolishness and failure to find deep connection. Our self-image and our pride are not important. Our love is important. The love we share is our witness.