"Foot
Washing"
a condensed version of the
sermon delivered by Rev. Kirk Moore on Maundy Thursday, April 9, 2009 at Union Congregational Church, United Church of
Christ, in Somonauk, Illinois.
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Hospitality
When you’re a guest, what kind of hospitality do you expect from the host? When you’re a host, what kind of hospitality do you think you should show to your guests?
Here are a few ideas:
Just follow these simple suggestions and you’ll be well on your way to being a good host or guest.
The etiquette rules of Jesus time and our time are a bit different – there’s always been this underlying expectation of graciousness, kindness, gratitude and courtesy.
And none of the things I mentioned break those ‘rules.’
But Jesus did violate etiquette expectations when he washed the disciples’ feet.
It’s not that washing feet was a breach – Foot washing was expected – but by a servant in the house – or perhaps by the person whose feet were dirty.
(Genesis 18:1-5 NRSV) The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. {2} He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. {3} He said, "My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. {4} Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. {5} Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on--since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said."
(1 Samuel 25:40-41 NRSV) When David's servants came to Abigail at Carmel, they said to her, "David has sent us to you to take you to him as his wife." {41} She rose and bowed down, with her face to the ground, and said, "Your servant is a slave to wash the feet of the servants of my lord."
(Luke 7:37-38, 44 NRSV) And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. {38} She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair {44} Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair.
Foot washing was a sign of hospitality – but never by the host – never by someone who was considered a leader.
Jesus taught about humility when he washed the disciple’s feet.
But foot washing isn’t something a host would arrange for their guests today.
A host would be sure to have a clean toilet –
‘And Jesus entered their homes and scrubbed their toilets’
I’m sure you can think of some other gross tasks that need to be done on a regular basis – tasks you’d rather have someone else do.
‘And Jesus changed the dirty diapers of all the babies.’
‘And Jesus washed all the dishes.’
‘And Jesus cleaned up the vomit of the one who was sick.’
And he said – you should also do all of this for each other.
There is more going on here in Jesus’ teaching – it has to do with Jesus dying on the cross and the disciples’ willingness to follow Jesus through the difficult times ahead. The ‘cleansing’ is more than getting dirt and sand off their feet. It is about preparing them.
I still want to focus, tonight, on the humble service that Jesus offered to the disciples – and how it relates to the second part of tonight’s reading.
First – Jesus washed the disciples’ feet and told them that they should do the same for each other.
Then – Jesus issued a new commandment: Love one another
Let’s all be ready to love and serve God and one another – And remember the foot washing.
© 2009 Union Congregational Church, All Rights Reserved