Maundy Thursday, April 2, 2026,
- Apr 3
- 5 min read
John 13:1-17, 33b-35
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The devil had already decided[a] that Judas son of Simon Iscariot would betray Jesus. And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from supper, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet,[b] but is entirely clean. And you[c] are clean, though not all of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had reclined again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16 Very truly, I tell you, slaves are not greater than their master, nor are messengers[d] greater than the one who sent them. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfill the scripture, ‘The one who ate my bread[e] has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur you may believe that I am he.[f] 20 Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.”
31b “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him,[j] God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Sermon
Do this in remembrance of me.
As I have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.
I give you a new commandment that you should love one another.
Tonight is loaded with meaning.
Tonight is both the end and the beginning.
Passover – release from Pharoah corrupt system – tonight, a last meal under empire but the first feast in the kingdom that has come near.
Every year we begin the Great Three Days at the table. Easter evening, we find ourselves at the table again, first with Jesus and the disciples from Emmaus, then with Jesus and the disciples in the locked room (sans Thomas). The very same room where they celebrated Passover just 3 days earlier.
A sermon by Diana Butler Bass asks, and I’m going to paraphrase here a bit: “What if the table is the point? …foot-washing and supper, conviviality and friendship, Passover and God’s liberation – what if the feast is the main event?”
A friend of mine wrote his doctoral dissertation on the meals in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus was either going to a meal, at a meal, or coming from a meal throughout Luke. The other gospels also talk about meals with tax-collectors and sinners, with Pharisees and ordinary people, wedding feasts and simple meals with his disciples, and a massive picnic meal for thousands catered by a small boy’s five loaves and two fish. Post-resurrection meals at Emmaus, in the upper room, at the seashore. Jesus gathers people around a table and in that moment, the kingdom of God comes near.
It’s no wonder the table is the heart of our worship. We gather around the Lord’s table to remember that first Eucharist. It was a time of thanksgiving and joy. The disciples did not know what was coming later that night or the next day. They were celebrating the Passover, rejoicing in God’s deliverance from Pharoah’s hand. Stories and songs and inside jokes were served right along with the lamb, bread, and wine.
We understand the joy of gathering around the table. Coffee hour is almost as important as worship. We share a different kind of communion then as friendships are deepened, and we share the cares and joys of the past week with each other.
When people gather around the table, there is a sense of inclusion, belonging. My father had the habit of bringing random people to holiday meals at Grandma’s house. Always another plate was set, wine or similar beverage shared, and for a few hours that person belonged to us, was one of us. I’m sure most of you have a similar story of hospitality around the table. That’s the way it was with any table Jesus graced. Everyone was included, everyone was loved, everyone was valued.
There’s a sense of abundance when we gather at the table. I have had the honor of gathering around the table with villagers in Nicaragua. Their simple meal of rice and beans, corn tortillas, maybe an egg or some chicken, was shared joyfully and generously. They were delighted to be able to serve, and I humbly received what was offered.
At this final and first table, Jesus stoops to wash feet. It was a tender moment, as he took his time with each disciple, caring for the particular need of each. Yet, Jesus’ act of loving service was a challenging thing to receive – Peter knows it should be the other way around; he should be washing Jesus’ feet. It’s hard to let someone serve you, to let someone give to you. At this table Jesus teaches that it’s important to consider the needs of each person, both the need for the person to receive, and the need for them to give. The table brings mutuality and intimacy, knowing and being known.
The table is love in action and leads to loving service.
This table ushers in God’s kingdom. A kingdom where everyone is welcome to come to the table and enjoy food and conversation, thanksgiving and joy, belonging and hospitality, mutual service and reciprocity, intimacy, and love.
We gather with Jesus at the table to hear him say again:
Do this in remembrance of me.
You should do as I have done to you.
Love one another as I have loved you.