Maundy Thursday 2009: Feet, Love Command, Communion

The challenge for a preacher is to cram all these themes into one service, one sermon on the Thursday before Easter Sunday. Or, a pastor might delete one and focus on the other(s). But has the message then been lost or reduced? Even the original Four Gospel writers seem challenged. Only John places foot-washing and the giving of the Mandatum (Old English "maunde") -- "Love one another, just as I have loved you" -- in the context of the night Jesus was betrayed. And John's Communion service is reported in a completely different context (John 6). Matthew, Mark, and Luke all focus on the Holy Communion inauguration that critical night. So, I suppose one could focus on one, two, or three of the events and still be faithful to the diverse witness of the Gospels. Thank God, Jesus could keep them all together, even if we are not sure how!


The British painter, Ford Madox Brown, included most of the story in his work: Jesus Washing Peter's Feet at the Last Supper, circa 1865. But I am still not sure if "love" is there. The disciples look sad or confused to me. (Graphic from Tate Gallery, London)