The evening meal was in progress and the devil had already prompted Judas to betray Jesus. 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: 2-5
My thoughts written in my journal during the Maundy Thursday service tonight…
The unfaithfulness of US, makes the cross that much more significant because HE was so faithful and focused on the cross. We focus so much on the resurrection without remembering the road to it. There is SO MUCH that happens between the garden (Gethsemane) and the cross.
(Listening to Oh Sacred Head Now Wounded and it is so beautiful)
So much endured. So much to remember as a bystander. The significance of washing feet. Tonight we washed Simeon’s feet together, Simeon and Joel washed my feet together and then Simeon and I washed Joel’s feet. The example Christ sets in this act is extraordinary.
The anxiety and fear and anticipation of “IT IS FINISHED” wrapped in a towel and basin with the cleansing of water. We (meaning I), have to remember this before we can focus on the cross and resurrection because THIS is the essence of the cross. Christ’s character and identity present with each foot with each drop of water and dirt mix washed away, patted dry. Without blemish or stain by the ONE with no blemish or stain. We did nothing, the disciples did nothing but observe this act and remember it as we do the bread and the cup. The mystery, the way Christ wove each moment in to the cloth of this final act is hard to wrap our minds around. But we must attempt to step in to this journey and understand. Not just jump to Sunday and the joy, but remember and not forget the road that gets us there.
For me, God meets me in music. Here are some of the songs that have brought me in to this place on Maundy Thursday and as Good Friday comes, allow yourself to feel the enormity of what Christ did…for US, underserving, unfaithful.
Let us Break Bread
O Sacred Head Now Wounded
What Wondrous Love Is This
The Santiago Partnership