Thoughts on Maundy Thursday 2020

In this time in my life when our world has been turned upside down by a global pandemic, Coronavirus, observing Holy Week is more important than ever to me. My devotional reading for Maundy  Thursday  was John 13 with the account of Thursday of Holy Week.   Jesus and the disciples had just eaten their Passover meal in an upper room and Jesus had instructed them to  observe that meal in the coming days as a remembrance of him. 

When they had completed their meal, Jesus stood up, wrapped a towel around his waist, took a basin of water and knelt before each of his disciples and washed their feet. This was usually done as you entered a home by a servant and his disciples were quite surprised that Jesus was taking this role. Peter of course objected and Jesus explained by saying, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 

John 13 :12-17 "When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.  “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.  Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.  Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.  Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

How many feet have we washed? Jesus said that is what we are supposed to do.  We should humble ourselves and look for opportunities to serve others.  How about those who need a note of encouragement or a phone call to ask them if there is anything you can do for them?  Have you checked on an older person or someone who lives alone?  Loneliness at this time in our world can be a huge problem for the elderly and people who live by themselves. The needs are many if we will only look and listen to those around us. God moves in mysterious ways and often uses social media to show us the needs of people who are posting their feelings.  

Jesus was kneeling as he washed their feet.  How many times have we been on our knees praying for our world today?  Our knees should be callused from the time we have spent on them praying for God to heal those suffering from the Coronavirus, for families who have loved ones sick and they can’t be with them and those whose family members have died with this terrible virus?  People who have lost jobs, lay offs, uncertainty about their financial future and depression from social distancing. 

We need to humble ourselves and help where we can. Jesus told us that now we know these things we will be blessed if we do them. I don’t think we have an option from now on for we have read and now we know.  Will you join me and kneel in prayer and service to those names and faces  He will put in our thoughts and prayers.  Kneeling is not only a physical act but it is any time we bow in complete obedience and humility before our God and Father.  

Jesus gave us this beautiful picture of servanthood and He is the Son of God! We are His children and should want to be as much like Him as we can for someday we will look in His face and I want him to look at me and say. “Well done, Frances.  Let me introduce you to my Father for you are our child  are home to live with us eternally.”  

Join me on this special day, the Thursday of Holy Week, kneel in prayer and listen to what our Father has to tell us.  Thank him for his love and give him all the glory. 

Frances


Photo from http://www.freebibleimages.org/photos/jesus-washes-feet/