"Love One
Another"
a condensed version of the
sermon delivered by Rev. Kirk Moore on Maundy Thursday, April 5, 2007 at Union Congregational Church in Somonauk, Illinois.
PODCAST of "Love One Anothe." (Coming soon)
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Jesus celebrated the Passover. There’s no reason to think he hadn’t celebrated Passover every year of his life. This year, in many ways would be the same as it always had been. It was a celebration of deliverance and God’s steadfast love. But on this last supper, Jesus did a few things different. He knew that the time of his death was near.
Here’s this footwashing thing. At the beginning of the Passover meal, all present take part in a ceremonial handwashing. One person brings around water and a towel. All dip their hands in the water and then dry them off. They are then prepared for the meal to come. Imagine this – when that was happening, Jesus got an idea.
"I can teach these disciples about service to God and to one another in a way that reminds them of this. But this time I’ll wash their feet – just like a servant does to those who enter a house."
Peter didn’t get it right away. (Peter was really good at not getting it – as were all the disciples!) But after Jesus explained, Peter not only understood – at least a little – but he wanted the full treatment. I can imagine Jesus’ response was a little like, "Hold on there, Rocky -- this will be fine. You get what I’m trying to teach to you. I want you to serve each other in the same way and with the same attitude that I have served you. Be humble and treat all with mutual respect."
Jesus also had a small comment in this evening’s reading about Judas. The writer of John says that when Jesus said "not all of you are clean" he was referring to Judas – who was about t to betray him. Jesus, though, is the one who we have seen time and again as the one with forgiveness in his heart. John really holds onto anger and hate of Judas. We saw it in our reading a couple of weeks ago when Mary poured out expensive perfume onto Jesus and Judas complained. Do you remember that the writer of John called Judas a thief there?
The description of the last supper in tonight’s passage doesn’t include the institution of the sacrament of communion. But let me tell you a little about that.
Jesus took bread and broke it: During the Passover matzo is broken and eaten several times. During the meal, one of the times Jesus gave the disciples this unleavened bread he didn’t do things the same as was customary. This time he told them that the bread was his body -- given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
The Passover meal was about remembering, but it was also a celebration. There was lots to eat, lots to drink and even though there were serious times, none of the meal talked about impending death. It was a meal of celebration.
This body thing threw the disciples a little bit. But they ate and began to understand – if only a little.
After dinner -- and after 3 glasses of wine, Jesus did something different again. We don’t know for certain from Scripture, but it’s reasonable to think that Jesus took the fourth glass of wine; the one called "The Cup of Elijah." This cup is the one that waits for Elijah’s return. Jesus had said that John was Elijah – and so taking the cup of Elijah would make sense. But then Jesus, before offering it to his disciples, said that "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood."
And again, the disciples didn’t quite get this death talk during a meal of celebration – but they drank and understood – if only a little.
Now let’s move back to our scriptures for this evening.
Jesus issued a new commandment. It wasn’t really new at all, but I think Jesus wanted the disciples to get this one above anything else he had taught. Love one another.
That’s it.
Love one another.
Cassie and I read a book several years back about love. What we learned from that book has really helped our marriage to grow and for us to love each other more and more. It’s called "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman (the author – not the singer.) Simply put, it says that different people express and understand love in different ways. Here are the 5 ways Mr. Chapman describes:
Maybe you can think of different ways.
This book was helpful to us because it taught us not just about these different ways, but it taught us to pay attention to how others show love for us. It may not be the way we best understand it, but noticing it can help us to show love for others in ways they will best receive it. It’s kind of like having a servant’s attitude about love in the same way Jesus taught the disciples about being humble and treating all with mutual respect.
Mother Theresa said this about being humble and about love. "We can do no great things - only small things with great love."
As we share communion together tonight and as we remember and celebrate over these next days and in the coming weeks, months and years. Let’s remember that one thing – the new commandment – the old commandment to which Jesus brought new life:
Love one another.
Close with Prayer
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