MAUNDY THURSDAY 2008

March 20, 2008

the Rev. Ken Kroohs

(Exodus 12:1-14; Ps. 1161 & 10-17; I Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-17 & 31b-35)

Being MORE of a servant

St. Christopher’s, High Point, NC

MAY THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH ... AND THE MEDITATIONS OF ALL OUR HEARTS ... BE ALWAYS ACCEPTABLE TO YOU --- OUR STRENGTH AND OUR REDEEMER AMEN

Lent is almost over .... thank God for that! Few people truly enjoy the Lenten focus on self study. During Lent we are encouraged to examine ourselves — our short comings and our strengths. We are encouraged to examine ourselves through the cross .... to understand that only by looking through the cross do we get any clarity in our vision.

Usually this self examination is not entirely joyful! If we do not notice places we have fallen short, either we have not been very honest .... or Jesus has returned!! We all fall short and as we approach Good Friday those failures become more and more important. Our weaknesses and failures are the reason Jesus had to die. The reason Jesus had to have these nails driven through His hands and feet.

(hand out large nails) Consider that. Jesus is not like the soldier who throws himself on the grenade — heroic though that is. Jesus choose not only to die for others but to die in an extremely painful manner. Forget the cross this Good Friday and focus on the nails. Those tell the story even better.

Thank God we are almost through Lent. Maundy Thursday is a kind of turning point. We begin the turn from reflecting about our failures and our strengths to reflecting on, and acting on, how we are to change. The Gospel tonight is picked to provide instruction on the changes we need to make.

Notice what happens. The Gospel tells us that Jesus knew what was about to happen. He knew He would soon be nailed to a cross. And so His teachings at this moment are particularly important. He does three things we need to remember. I will mention first the one not specifically covered in this Gospel reading — the beginning of communion. This is my body – this is my blood.

What I want to emphasize is the words we use to explain that action: Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Christ – the one who was sent by God .. Our Passover is sacrificed for us. The Passover image refers back to the plagues God sent on Egypt before the Jews were freed. The Jews were told to place lambs’ blood on their door frames so the angel of death would know to “pass over” that house. The lambs were sacrificed to save the family. Jesus is sacrificed to save us. The key difference of course is that Jesus went knowingly and willingly to His death.

In today’s reading Jesus demonstrated and then taught. Look first at the teaching. He gave us a new commandment to love one another as He loved us. ..... He loved us enough to go to the cross ... to feel those nails ... so that is an extremely high standard!

As I have emphasized before this is not about being abused .... doing for others until it becomes abuse is not Jesus’ instructions. But it is also not about how we feel. Jesus did not tell us to like each other He told us to love each other .... to act in a loving way towards each other no matter what we think of each other.

Jesus had demonstrated in a very practical way what “acting in a loving way towards other people” by washing disciples feet. ... I wonder, did Jesus know that it was not possible for us to be faithful enough to follow Him to the cross and thereby gave us an example we could follow? Gave us an example of “love each other as I have loved you”?

Unfortunately we really do not fully appreciate that example – the footwashing. Remember what the roads were like. It was said that the main road in Williamsburg, Virginia during colonial times was a mile long, 100 feet wide and a foot deep. The foot deep describes the roads the disciples walked to reach this place. Cows, pigs, horses, mules all walked the road ... doing what animals do and then churning it into mud with their feet. The disciples wore open sandals ....... NOW imagine what washing their feet was like!

Also imagine who would normally do that .... the lowest servant in the household. Furthermore the guest would not even notice the servant. The guest would not say “thank you” but would simply allow the washing to happen.

So Jesus does this disgusting act which would normally fall to lowest person on the social ladder. He says something very profound in that action. Something we are capable of duplicating.

I said that today, Maundy Thursday is a turning point between reflection and action. Therefore, in the bulletin I have given you a homework sheet! It is on the back of the page explaining Maundy Thursday. What I am suggesting is that we continue our reflection for three more days by making a plan of action.

Now I know most of you. You are good people who already serve others in many ways. So I have phrased it as “How I will be more of a servant”. What I am offering is to reflect on how that can be possible in three areas of our lives.

We need though to consider what is meant by “servant”. Think about the restaurant server. Your water glass is empty. One time you have to stand up, wave your glass around and ask for service. Another time the server notices even before the glass is empty and refills it.

We are called to be the second type of servant. That requires us to look around, notice what is needed, and do it without being asked and without any recognition. See and act.

I suggest that tomorrow, Friday, we focus on our family. That can be immediate or extended — does not matter. How can we be more of a servant to our families? An example which probably will not fit you — my siblings and I are very poor communicators! Many years it is Christmas card and birthday card. But when we do communicate we enjoy it. So my plan to be more of a servant is to initiate email communications at least once a month.

On Saturday I am suggesting we focus on our church. How can we be more of a servant in our church? Again, this congregation is great about serving! Many people take out the trash, mow the lawn, bring snacks for the kids. That said, none of us is perfect and no organization is perfect so how can we be more of a servant in the church?

On Sunday we hit the difficult one but Easter Sunday is the perfect time to reflect on it. Most surveys show that anywhere from 30-60% percent of the people in this area believe in God, want a closer relationship with God but are not in a church or other group who can help them. .... Maybe a few of them will be sitting in our pews that day.

Remember that the restaurant server who brought the water did not buy the water or bring it to the restaurant. They simply took what was available and distributed it.

Or maybe a better example — you have seen movies where this has happened .... a dinner party with wine and cheese before dinner. The servant comes in and announces “dinner is served”. People move to where they will be nourished. The servant simply invited the people to come to dinner.

On Sunday how can we be more of a servant to those who are seeking God?

We still have to live through Good Friday. We still have to get in touch with a God who, for our sake, is willing to have nails driven through His hands and feet. But we are resurrection people and as we do shudder at the action, and attempt to understand the love for each of us which required that action ... we do so knowing the joy of Easter is just around the corner!

AMEN

We have previous sermons on our website. To read an earlier recent sermon just enter: www.st-christopher.org/sermon.html.

CLICK HERE TO RESPOND: I would enjoy reading your comments about this sermon. Please feel free to discuss content or presentation. (If you wish to use another email system send your comments to: ken@st-christopher.com)