MAUNDY THURSDAY – April 1, 2021 – John 13:1-7
“A SHARE WITH JESUS”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Gospel Lesson just read, from John 13. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- We are well aware of the deep emotions that ran through the disciples on the night of Jesus’ betrayal. Jesus said to Peter, “What I am doing you do not understand now.” The same was true of all the disciples. And not just about the “foot washing,” but also in regard to the Sacrament of His body and blood and His crucifixion which was only a few hours away.
- John expresses keen insight into the mind of Jesus on this night when He was to be betrayed. John wrote for us: “Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”
- This is the introduction we get to the events soon to happen, the foot-washing, the betrayal, the encouragement of Jesus to grasp and understand and exercise His own humble, serving love.
- One of the key concepts for us to consider is Jesus’ statement to Peter about having “a share with Him.” This is a rather strange and seemingly secretive statement. But it has to do with the thing that Jesus was sent to do, what was most important to Him – and that was the salvation of mankind. Jesus simply told Peter if he wanted to be a part of that plan, that program, he must allow Jesus to serve him.
- He says the same to each of us tonight. So we must consider if we even want a “part” or a “share” with Jesus in what He is about, what He is doing. And if so, then we must hear from Him what is involved in that. We do not get to relate to Jesus or serve Him on our own terms, but on His. First we must understand that:
I. We Must Allow Jesus To Serve Us, To Wash Us, If We Want To Have A Share With Him
Text: “Jesus came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, ‘Lord, do you wash my feet?’ Jesus answered him, ‘What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.’ Peter said to Him, ‘You shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no share with Me.’”
Statement: This must have put Peter in a very difficult place. We can see how he honored Jesus, loved Jesus, respected Jesus, and was eager to serve Jesus. How was he to allow Jesus to serve Him in this lowly way? The thought was repulsive to him. However, Jesus indicated the necessity of this. And faced with the thought of “having no share” with Jesus, Peter immediately acquiesced.
Application: It is no different for us. We too love Jesus, respect Jesus, revere Jesus, honor and worship Jesus. We do not want Him to have to stoop to serve us, especially not when it comes to our dirt. We’ll take care of it ourselves. Then, when we are already shiny clean, we’ll come to Jesus to present ourselves to Him. But such an approach to Jesus will never work. He sees clearly through our shabby efforts, our shabby clothes of “righteousness,” which are as filthy rags. This is all the better we can do for ourselves, and it will not do for Jesus. He insists on washing us Himself, and providing us with lily white clothes, the robes of His righteousness. If we will not allow Him to do this we can share no part with Him. But of course we want “a share with Jesus.” And we want the perfect peace of joy of all sins forgiven and washed away! So we also believe in Jesus, and rejoice to live in His love for His own, His love for us.
Transition: This is certainly what Jesus was talking about with Peter, when washing the disciples feet. Peter understood as well that:
II. Jesus Cleanses Us Inwardly By The Gospel [As conveyed to us in His Word and Sacraments] – Only Impenitence And Unbelief Reject Jesus’ Cleansing
Text: “ Simon Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ‘The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.’”
Statement: “But not every one of you is clean.” That would be Judas, who not only betrayed Him but rejected Him in unbelief! “He that believes the Son has eternal life; he that does not believe shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” [Jn. 3:36] His Word assures us of His forgiveness, His cleansing away of our sins. The people in heaven dressed in white robes, according to the book of Revelation, “have taken their robes and washed them and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” [Rev.7] “The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanses us from all sin.” [1 Jn. 1:7]
Application: We also have received this cleansing of Jesus, have allowed Him to wash our “feet,” by receiving His blessings of forgiveness and salvation by faith. These blessings have come to us in baptism [for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit] and in the Sacrament of the Altar, Christ’s blood shed for us for the remission of sins. Now, this is the real dirt that Jesus cleanses off of us. It is not just a little dust, or just a little stain. It is real dirt – like smelly feet. This is our sin, and thank God that His blood cleanses us from all sin. So let us not be afraid to confess our sins to Jesus. Let us not be fearful to believe that He forgives all. Let us not hesitate to bring our guilt to Him, knowing that only He can take it away! And He has. That is what the cross is all about!
Transition: Now if we know these things, and we have a share with Jesus, then we must understand what that “share” is. Jesus explains it:
III. Our Share With Jesus Is To Also Love And Serve One Another With Him
Text: “When He had washed their feet and put on His outer garments and resumed His place, He said to them, ‘Do you understand what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.’”
Statement: This is a wonderful privilege and honor that Jesus offers us. His example is wonderful! There can be no mistake about how we are to serve one another. There is no ambiguity in this example. We can stoop to the lowest levels in serving one another. We not only have God’s permission, but as Jesus assures us: “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
Application: Our sinful nature may find all of this distasteful! I have long struggled with Jesus on His hands and knees washing smelly feet, men’s feet! And some of the things we may be called upon to help out with may turn our stomachs. But it is what Jesus urges: we are not greater than our Master. We are privileged and blessed whenever we are able to serve others, no matter what that service may involve!
Conclusion: May we continue to confess our sins with brutal honesty, so that Jesus may wash and cleanse us. Then whatever we are called to serve others in will not seem so bad!
Jesus gave this example and these instructions out of the greatest love for His own! He invites us to such service out of the greatest love for us.
God forbid we should ever be like Judas – his impenitence and his unbelief, his refusal to share with Jesus. God forbid we should become confused, as Peter was at first, and recoil at the thought of Jesus really cleansing us from our really smelly sins. May He keep us ever growing in faith and trust in Him. Remember, He is ever and always loving His own who are in the world!
Then we will also be growing in our love for Him, and in our eagerness to “share” in His blessed work in the world, that of bring people to faith and salvation, and loving others in their needs. “Blessed are you if you do these things!” Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.