Crucifix in Santa Maria Maior, Lisbon
2/4/26
Exodus 12:1-4, 11-14 Psalm 116;1, 10-end
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 31-35
I hope that everyone is having a holy Holy Week. It is not always easy! We get busy and tired and distracted. I hope that this evening we can reclaim some of what this week and especially this day is meant to be about. For many it is a time to get away on holiday, make preparations for big meals and egg hunts. There are our church activities and services too. All good things. And there is more.
Tonight we begin the journey to the cross. The disciples began that journey too. It is a journey that requires preparation. Jesus had been preparing them through his teaching and example. On this night Jesus took off his outer robe, tied a towel around himself and began to wash the disciples’ feet. This was an act of humility, the job of a slave in any household.
When I was in Lisbon the other week, I visited a number of Catholic churches. As one does! I found them to be rather austere compared to others in Spain, France, Poland & Italy. More stone than gold; but something profound in the simplicity. I also noticed Jesus on most crucifixes around the churches had very bloody knees. I don’t think I had ever noticed Jesus’ knees before. We focus on his hands and feet pierced by the nails of the Romans.
Jesus would have had to bend his knees to get down to wash those feet. We are told in the Passion narrative that He fell at least three times while carrying the cross. Jesus would have needed his knees to get himself up and bear the weight of the cross. The knees came before the hammered hands and feet.
How are your knees this evening? Are they bearing the weight of all that you are carrying?
How about the knee of your heart? I bet you did not know that your heart has a knee! It is metaphorical of course.
In the book of Manasseh (which is in the apocrypha), it is written,
And now I bend the knee of my heart,
imploring you for your kindness.
I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned,
and I acknowledge my transgressions.
I earnestly implore you,
forgive me, O Lord, forgive me!
It is a profound action, to bend the knee of the heart. This means putting aside our pride, vanity and hypocrisy. It is an act of deep humility.
Maundy Thursday is a day of preparation as well as humility. There are physical as well as spiritual preparations to be made as we move into Good Friday.
In a few minutes I will invite you to come forward to have your hands washed. Following on from this we will celebrate our last communion before Easter Sunday. At the end of the service we will strip the altar and then sit in silence to keep watch.
All of these actions, however ceremonial we make them, should help us to bend the knees of our hearts towards Jesus as he goes to Gethsemane and then onto the cross.
In Exodus, God gives specific instructions to Moses and Aaron about how the Passover meal is to be prepared. Hands were needed to prepare the lambs and make the arrangements. Sandals were to be on feet, staff in hand and the food eaten quickly. The lamb’s blood needed to be painted over the doorposts.
Paul is reminding the Corinthians about how they are to celebrate the Eucharist. Seriously, simply and holding to the words of Jesus. Paul says he received this from the Lord and is handing it on. What we have received from the Lord needs to be handed on too. This is not a passive passing of words but of action. The actions of Jesus and his hands: taking the bread, lifting it to give thanks and then breaking it to be shared. This is the new Passover meal.
This is the drama that is played out on the altar each time we take communion together. Do this in remembrance of me, he says. Remember my broken body and my blood spilled for you. You. Remember me.
As we read again the accounts of the Last Supper and Good Friday, Jesus has been given all things. Not only that, Jesus remembers and knows. Whatever it is, is in His hands! His knees can bear our pain and our doubts. His feet are never too tired. The relief this has brought me time and again has been amazing and transformational. Even in the darker and difficult times and I forget; Jesus has not.
Jesus’ foot washing is an act of service and of love. The ultimate victory is knowing that Jesus was going to God. He can then do the menial job; the job of a slave. This foot washing shows us what humble service and true greatness are.
Jesus has set us an example as he has washed our feet, we are to wash the feet of others. We can do this in our acts of love and service to each other however unglamorous or menial they might be.
Tonight, though, is about the literal washing of hands as an outward sign that we believe we are in His hands.
The hands that healed the blind and raised the dead.
The hands that broke the bread and poured the wine.
The hands that have our names written on them.
The hands that were nailed to the cross for the dirt on ours.
The knees that bent down to write in the dust and set a woman free.
The knees that bent to wash the dirty feet of the disciples
The knees the were bloodied when He fell under the weight
The knees that bore the weight of your sin and mine
The feet that walked thousands of miles to heal and teach the least, the lost and the last.
The feet that brought the Good News.
The feet that walked up the hill under the weight of the cross.
Will you let the things that have been picked up in your heart, hands and feet be washed away tonight? Will you let him strengthen your feeble knees?
Loving Lord, you served your disciples in washing their feet: serve us often, serve us daily, in washing our motives, our ambitions, our actions; that we may share with you in your mission to the world and serve others gladly for your sake. (based on a prayer by Michael Ramsey)
AMEN.
