Reflecting on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday

Maundy Thursday and Good Friday in the Central Partnership has been challenging and emotional. There are so many dramatic events throughout Holy Week for us to consider. It began on Sunday with the Triumphal Entry, the cleansing of the temple, teaching on a variety of subjects, and leads to eating with friends and then crucifixion. The Last Supper is key to setting up the events to follow. Among other things, the Last Supper was Jesus’ last opportunity to directly minister to his disciples before his death and resurrection. So what did Jesus teach at this final gathering?

The Gospel of John goes into the most detail about the Last Supper, spending five chapters recounting Jesus’ words and actions that evening (more than he does describing the rest of the Easter story!).

What stands out the most in that story? For many readers, Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet is the most striking event in the entire account. So on Thursday gathered in the upper hall at Bold Street we remembered. We sang, chatted, ate and drank together, hands were washed and we remembered. Leaving the building in darkness we met at Latchford the following morning.

It was Oswald Chambers who once observed that drudgery is the truest test of genuine character. Foot washing was a lowly job, an oft-recurring job due to sandals and dusty streets—a job for a servant. But here, the menial task was instead performed by the master, their teacher—the Son of God.

And the influential truth of Christ’s identity is that He still does what is analogous to washing soiled feet: our deepest sorrows He feels, our sorriest actions He accepts, our smallest prayers He hears—our every transgression He forgives, our dusty, tired hearts He washes.

And so on Friday we meet at the foot of the cross. We heard the story, sang the familiar hymns, reflected and cared for each other. What did we remember? Jesus is on his way toward the Cross. His disciples have fled and he is alone. Alone to face the wrath of the Roman Empire and the fury of the crowd. Alone and feeling abandoned by God. Yet not alone for all of humanity walks with him. We stumble and fall as he did. We are abused and spat upon. We feel despised and rejected - by ourselves, by others, by our world. Free us from our prisons and bring us new life

God who created us suffers because of us
God who died upon the cross suffers for us
God who dwells with us suffers with us
And in God’s suffering we find hope

God, you suffering brings us salvation
Without you the horrors of human suffering would be unbearable
Your story of life, death and resurrection gives life meaning
Your suffering frees us from our prisons

May we live this day in the knowledge of your pain
May we live this day in the assurance of your love
May we live this day in the hope of the resurrection.