Today is Maundy Thursday. I was an adult before I’d ever heard of it—even though I was raised by Christian parents. We celebrated Good Friday, and, of course Easter, but when I first heard of Maundy Thursday I was very curious. With a little research I discovered that the word ‘Maundy’ was actually derived from the word ‘mandate’. So…curiosity got the better of me and I decided to check out what ‘mandate’ was given on the day before the crucifixion.
I am no theologian, but it doesn’t take a theologian to read the poignant story of the eve of Christ’s crucifixion and discover His command. Jesus had met with his closest friends, the disciples—the very ones to whom He entrusted the message of His life and His purpose—and Christ Himself knelt before each one to wash their road-weary feet.
Can you imagine the gentleness of His touch? The love in His eyes as He looked into each dear face? The weight in His heart as He anticipated His parting from them?
And so, one by one by one he washed the feet of each disciple. When it was his turn, Peter, as usual misunderstanding, balked. That was the job of a servant! Someone lowly. Definitely NOT the King of Glory, the Prince of Peace! He would never allow the Lord Jesus to stoop to the floor at his feet and wash the dirt from the road from between his calloused toes!
This is where I love to close my eyes and envision Christ’s face. His tender eyes as He looked lovingly at Peter and explained ever so gently (I feel quite certain with a gentle smile): “Peter, you don’t understand. If I don’t wash your feet, then you’re not part of me and you can’t be part of my ministry.”
And, as is typical for Peter, he replied, “Oh! Well, then here…wash my feet, my hands, and shoot! Wash me all over!”
Jesus’ reply showed the symbolism of what He was doing. “No Peter, if I wash your feet, you’re clean all over.”
At the end of this little ceremony, Jesus asked them if they understood what He had just done. In John 13:12 – 17 it reads like this: “When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them. ‘You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (NIV)
He was taking on the form of a servant—serving in the most menial way by washing His friends’ feet. In other words He was saying, ‘Don’t ever be too ‘big in the britches’ to serve others.’ And then He even told them the secret of such service: ‘You will be blessed if you do this.’
Now, serving so that we will gain something (recognition, returned favors, etc.) doesn’t count. It won’t even work! But, serving out of a pure heart of care and concern always is rewarded with blessing. And amazingly, the server—or servant—is always more blessed than the one actually receiving the gift of service.
So…I say all that to say this: The mandate we are given is not just to do the symbolic act of washing one another’s feet, but to serve one another in every opportunity that presents itself. Not just on Maundy Thursday—although those worship services are meaningful and poignant, the true follower of Christ serves daily, in the trenches, where the rubber meets the road! And believe me when I tell you that He spoke the truth when He said we’d be blessed. Only God could turn a gift into an even greater present to the giver!
My challenge is to carry the heart of Maundy Thursday into the days and weeks and months that follow. Serve one another as though you were serving Christ Himself. Look for opportunities to serve all year. And this I promise: you will greatly enjoy the return on your investment!