A new commandment I give to you.

Today is Maundy Thursday—the story of Jesus last week drops us down into the middle of Last Supper—scholars aren’t real sure if this was actually a Passover meal, Matthew, Mark and Luke say that it is, but John  says that Passover coincided with Jesus execution. One thing I know for certain there was not shepherd’s pie— there might have been lamb, but definitely not shepherd’s pie. 

What we do know is that they ate bread and drank wine—Matthew, Mark and Luke tell us such. 

Matthew, Mark and Luke focus their last supper story on the Institution of Eucharist—take eat-this is my body, this is my blood, given for you—do this in remembrance of me.

But the focus of John’s last supper is entirely different.  No mention of bread and wine or body and blood.  But rather the focus is on Jesus who removes his cloak, ties a towel around his waist and tenderly washes the feet of each of the twelve- he washes the feet of James and John-- two disciple who like kindergarteners fight over who will be the  greatest——he washes Thomas’ feet—the greatest doubter history has ever known.

He washes Peter’s feet—a man who wants no part in Jesus washing his feet.  In Peter’s mind that’s the job of a servant not of a leader—not of a great messiah.  Of course Peter changes his mind when Jesus say he won’t have any part of him if he doesn’t participate. 

Peter’s response—In that case Well then my head and my hands also.  

Jesus uses this act of devotion to say – this is what love looks like and - go and do likewise.  But he doesn’t just give this as simple suggestions.  

Jesus doesn’t say it would be really nice if you guys all got along, sing kumbaya  and loved each other---This is a mandate-this is  a non-negotiable.  The word Maundy comes from the Mandatum or mandate—today we commemorate Jesus mandate-- to love one another. 

The Greek word Agape that we translate love means  a love so deep that is sacrifices itself for the other.  A love that lays down itself for the other—Agape is the love that would put Jesus up on the cross.

Agape love is the thread the keeps the whole garment that is Christianity from unraveling. 

Jesus says that his followers will be known—not by their doctrine of the trinity or resurrection –they won’t be known because they come  to church every Sunday or for special occasions.— they won’t be known by their fancy, beautiful churches or cathedrals or for their flawless liturgies.

Jesus followers will be known by the power and witness of their Love.  Period. End of story—they will know we are Christians by our love.  

And it starts right there at the basin- its starts by tenderly washing each other’s feet. An outward sign of our love for one another.

 The world says that there are people that we can exclude from love- that we don’t have to love— because maybe we don’t like them or we because we just don’t feel it.  For some love is contingent upon a person’s sexuality, for others it has to do with  a person’s refugee status, for other’s it’s related to religion-for some it’s those on the other side of the aisle, or the addict- the death row criminal- the guy who slams into you because he was texting and driving—the person on the street begging for some spare change saying he’s hungry, but all really wants is money to buy drugs and to get high.

The world says we can turn away that we don’t have to look or and we don’t have to touch and we certainly don’t have to love—but not Jesus, not —that basin-that foot washing it calls us to a new commandment. 

A new commandment I give to you—to love one another.

But Jesus wouldn’t ask us to do something he wasn’t himself ready to do---for Jesus washed the feet of his disciples—Simon- Peter, and Andrew,  and James, and John; Philip, Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;  he washes  the feet of Simon the Zealot, AND JESUS WASHES THE FEET OF  Judas Iscariot—the man responsible for his arrest. 

What the gospel writer John doesn’t tell, but what was probably true—is that Jesus probably had to grit his teeth and do it anyway –Jesus was human like you and me and he probably didn’t like Judas or what he was about to do—but agape love is not based on a feeling—it’s not a gushy hallmark card- the agape—the love that Jesus calls you and I to is action based- not feeling based.

A new commandment I give to you—Love one another—it’s not easy, but it’s necessary—and it is the one thing that Jesus says will distinguish us from everybody else walking around out there.

Will the world know we are Christians by our love?

AMEN