Maundy Thursday: 09 April 2020

St. Peter’s Plettenberg Bay

This is far from ordinary and or usual; at best it is extra-ordinary and very unusual. This is a time in the church’s calendar when we celebrate the Triduum or the three great days when we enter into the passion-death- resurrection of Jesus Christ and His redeeming us.

And the church wants us to observe these events as a whole and not as three separate parts of the saving story. It is almost presented as a single service starting with a joyous greeting at the beginning of the Maundy Thursday service, which with Good Friday ends without dismissal until the glorious end on Easter when we are joyfully send out to go out and love and serve the Lord.

And the Alleluia’s adds emphasis to the celebratory tone of Easter. Victory was won, now we are free, but till then, in three days’ time we are to deal with two other aspects of the redemption story and the first is the journey of Maundy Thursday.

The Institution of the Last Supper we will attend to on the occasion of the feast of Corpus Christi.

Maundy Thursday celebrates the commandment to love and to serve one another given by a savior prepared to wash feet even that of Judas who betrayed Him and Peter who denied Him.

It is the evening before the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus, a really intense time for Him.

His work is almost done; He turns to His disciples and fixed His attention on them.

In their community the lowliest and most menial task is to stoop down and wash the feet of others.

It is a job best reserved for slaves and servants.

People returning home after a journey or visiting family and or friends find their feet dirty, by more than just dust.

And the landlord will always have a slave at hand to assist.

Peter and John were send to make the necessary preparations for the meal and fellowship.

The food has been prepared; the table set and in a corner stood a bucket with water and a towel, but no sight of a slave and or servant.

What is wrong with the two of them, they surely should have arranged this and spared every one the discomfort and embarrassment.

Someone should at least wash the feet of the master, but who shall that someone be.

Not me, it will strip me of my worth and honor and if I do it now, it will sort of become my job, forever.

Maybe I should just wait and see; maybe someone else will step up and do it.

And everyone was hoping that someone else will do it or offer to do it.

They all sat there, justifying themselves in all sorts of ways.

I did it last time; it is someone else’s turn.

John has never done it, it is his turn.

The atmosphere is intense, and one can almost sense the discomfort.

I came here to spend time with my master, and according to His predictions this may be the last time we meet in such a fashion and washing feet is not what I came to do.

I am here for spiritual enrichment and Jesus wouldn’t want me to get up.

And the sadness of the situation is that it sounds all too familiar for my liking.

This is us.

Peter is thinking “What is wrong with these fools, do they not who and what I am?

I am the one with the best proposals and answers to the master’s questions.

I am the one with whom the master resonates best and with whom He can identify best, since I recognized Him as the savior the Son of the living God.

Do they not see my leadership skills and character?

I am the rock and if you knew this, you would have volunteered to not only wash the feet of the master, but mine also.

We do not know anything more about this, other than that no one offered to do the washing of feet and that was amongst the bunch that we call disciples.

Now let us turn to the Master, The Teacher, and The Son of the living God and what He did.

1. What dido Jesus do?

What did Jesus do?

He stood up, took off his clothes, took a towel and washed the feet of his disciples.

He does not instruct or deliver a paper on servant hood, or servant leadership, he taught by example.

He is more than ready to get out of His comfort zone and render service.

Jesus is doing, not saying and or telling, He is laying down honor and making preparations to serve.

We always want to present the analysis and identify the need, but do nothing to address the need.

You will make a lasting impression on others, not through what you teach, but by what you do.

Talk is cheap, get down low, and be of service.

Now is the time for altruistic efforts, not selfishness and seeking honor and recognition.

Think less of self and more about others, as servants we should be about service.

In denying yourself all sorts of privileges, you will discover that you have more time and energy to do something for someone else.

And it show

“He began to wash the feet of the disciples and to dry it with a towel.”

Peter thought himself wiser than Jesus, at first he didn’t want Jesus to wash his feet and in the end he wanted a full bath.

The best we can do is to listen and obey.

2. What did Jesus know?

Jesus knew that His time has come to leave this world to be with His father.

He knew what was awaiting Him and yet He harbored not a single selfish thought.

He considered his disciples, his mother, a common thief and a centurion.

He shows no arrogance although He was almighty, and stooped down to wash the feet of His disciples.

He seeks not recognition, but rendered service.

He even spent quality time with the one who would betray him and another who will shortly deny him.

Are we prepared to wash the feet of friends, let alone that of our enemies?

Jesus is experiencing the most important moments of His life.

He knew that the pain and agony of the cross is here and yet His focus is not on selfish gain but on others.

In the garden He offered himself and pleaded for the release of the rest of the group, whom He said, was innocent of any wrongdoing or offence.

This He, Jesus did knowing well that the Father has subjected all things unto Him and has given Him power and dominion over all things and yet.

See how humble we can be until honor and affirmation is visited upon us, until people give us recognition and elevate us from one level to the other.

Jesus lived not for recognition, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Jesus knew that He would be betrayed by Judas who was filled with deceit and yet He did not distance Himself from him.

He did not point a finger, apportion blame or asked why?

He loved, unconditionally until the very end and don’t you worry that end is not too far off, that we celebrate tomorrow, Good Friday.

Jesus washed the feet of Judas with the same passion and compassion.

In Him there is no place for bitterness, hate, spite, regret or anger.

Just sadness for Judas, the path he chose and his refusal to repent.

Are we ready to wash feet? Yes the feet of those who will never be able to return the favor?

3. What did Jesus teach them?

Do you understand what I have done to you?

Do you realize the importance of this simple, but yet profound act?

It is more than just washing feet and meeting needs.

I gave you an example, go and do likewise.

Be of service to others; represent me to this sinful world.

Be humble, bow down, was feet, attend to the needs of others.

If you had an experience off and with me, go and share it with others through your service unto them.

It is the love of God in our hearts that enables us to wash the feet of others.

The lesson in verse 14, go and do likewise, go wash feet, go and serve.

It is always easier to talk about service, to think about service, to fantasize about the integrity of service, to hear sermons preached about service, than it is to serve.

But the blessing, the joy, the happiness will not be found in in the talk, but in the walk, go out and serve.

May we go out and wash feet as Jesus has taught us to.

We are surrounded by thousands of feet in need of washing.

Lord open our eyes that we may see and do.

                                                                   AMEN.

Witte Donderdag 09 April 2020

 

Ons begin vandag die Triduum of drie dae van viering wat deel met die pasie-lyding-opstanding van Jesus Christus

Dit is nie drie verskillende elemente van ons geloof nie, maar ’n geheel wat begin met ‘n vreugdevolle begroeting op Witte Donderdag en dan weer eindig met die blye “gaan uit om die Here lief te hê en te dien, Halleluja, Halleluja” van Paaasfees. 

Oor die instelling van die Heilige Nagmaal sal ons op die feesdag van Corpus Christi praat.

Vanaand deel ons met diensbaarheid aan mekaar. 

Dit is die aan voor dieverraiing en kruisiging van Jesus, ‘n spanningsvolle tyd vir Jesus.

Sy, Jesus se werk is bykans klaar en Hy, draai na Sy dissipels om Sy aandag op hulle te vestig.

In hul gemeenskap is die laagste en gemeenste  taak wat aan enigiemand toegeskryf kan word om die voete van ander te was.

Dit was ‘n werk wat uitgehou was vir ‘n slaaf of dienskneg.

Mense wie teruggekeer het huis toe vanaf ‘n reis of besoek aan familie of vriende se voete was vuil van meer as net stof.

En die gasheer sal altyd ‘n slaaf of dienskneg gereed hê om te help. 

Petrus en Johannes is vooruit gestuur om die maal voor te berei.

Die kos is klaar, die tafel is gedek

In die hoek staan ‘n bak met water en ‘n handdoek, maar geen slaaf.

Wat het die twee makeer , hoekom het hulle dit nie gereel nie.

Die dissipels is ongemaklik, iemand moet ten minste Jesus se voete was.

Maar as ek dit doen wat sal dit aan my eer doen ?

As ek vrywilliglik aanbied sal ek dit vir altyd moet doen, dan word dit my werk.

Miskien as ek wag en kyk, sal iemand anders dit doen.

Elke dissipel hoop dat een van die ander sal aanbied om dit te doen.

Hulle regverdig hoekom dit iemand anders se werk is.

Ek het dit laas keer gedoen, dit is Mattheus se beurt.

Johannes het dit nog nooit gedoen nie. 

Ek het tyd met Jesus kom spandeer, nie kom voete was nie.

Ek is hier vir geestelike verryking, Jesus wil nie dat ek  hier opstaan nie.

Klink dit nie al te bekend nie? 

Petrus dink by homself sien hierdie dwase nie, wie en wat ek is nie.

Ek is die een met die beste antwoorde en voorstelle.

Ek is die een wie Jesus identifiseer as die messias die seun van die mens.

Sien hulle nie my leiereienskappe nie.

Ek is die rots, as julle weet wie en wat ek is sal julle nou my en Jesus se voete was.

Ons weet nie veel meer nie, maar wat ons weet is dat niemand dit gedoen het nie.

 

1. Wat doen Jesus.

Jesus staan op, trek Hom uit, draai ‘n handdoek om Sy lyf, gooi water in die bak en begin die voete van Sy dissipels was.

Hy leer nie met ‘n lesing nie, maar met Sy voorbeeld.

Hy staan op van die maaltyd en verlaat Sy gemaksone.

Sy ligaam doen iets.

Hy trek uit en lê neer, Hy maak voorbereidings.

En Hy begin. 

Almal sien die behoefte, niemand doen enigiets nie.

Mense luister meer na wat jy doen as wat jy sê.

Jesus praat nie net nie, Hy neem aksie.

As dienskneg moet jy opstaan en iets doen.

Jy moet minder aan jouself dink en meer aan ander.

As jy jouself iets ontneem, het jy meer tyd en energie om iets vir iemand anders te doen.

En die belangrikste is jy moet begin.

Toe begin Hy die voete van die dissipels was. 

Petrus dink hy weet beter as Jesus.

Eers wil hy nie sy voete laat was nie, dan wil hy ‘n hele bad hê

Dit vat hom tyd om te leer dat niemand ‘n beter idée as Jesus het nie.

Die beste wat ons kan doen is om Jesus uit te luister en te gehoorsaam.

 

2. Wat weet Jesus.

Jesus beleef die belangrikste ommblikke van Sy lewe .

Hy weet dat die pyn en angs van die kruis oppad is.

As jy weet dat jy more sal sterf, wat sal jy vandag doen?

Jou aandag vestig op ander mense en hul voete was?

Nooit, jy sal gefokus wees op jouself.

Maar Jesus nie, Hy berei Sy dissipels voor vir wat kom.

Hy is altyd gefokus op ander.

In die tuin sê Hy neem my. maar laat hulle gaan, hulle het niks hiermee te make nie.

Op die kruis is Hy bekommerd oor Sy moeder.

In Sy laaste oomblikke bedien Hy tot ‘n dief en moordenaar.

Hy is onselfsugtig en dink aan ander. 

Jesus weet dat die Vader alles onder Sy mag gegee het.

Hy is nie arrogant, vol trots en eiewaan nie, Hy buk af en was voete.

Kyk hoe nederig kan mense wees, totdat hulle so bietjie erkenning kry.

Jesus leef nie vir erkenning nie, maar vir diens. 

Jesus weet dat Hy verraai sou word deur Judas, vol van  verleiding, valsheid en voordoen.

Hy sit nie afstand tussen Homself en Judas nie.

Hy wys nie vinger en vra hoe kan jy dit doen nie.

Hy bemin Judas en is lief vir hom tot die einde.

Hy was ook sy voete met dieselfde passie en deernis.

In Hom is daar geen bitterheid, haat, spyt en kwaad nie.

Net hartseer vir die Judas wie nie kan bely nie.

Kan ons die voete van ons vyande was ?

Sal ons mense dien, wetend dat hulle nooit die guns en goedheid terug sal betaal nie ?

 

3. Wat leer Jesus.

Dit gaan verder as voetewas, en behoeftes vervul.

Jesus kom in ons lewens, Hy is lief vir ons en vervul ons behoeftes.

En soms dink ons dit is al.

“Ek het julle ‘n voorbeeld gegee, gaan en doen so, vrylik het julle ontvang, vrylik moet julle gee.”

As jy Jesus ervaar, dra Hom oor aan ander deur jou diens.

Dit is die liefde van  God in ons harte wat ons voetewasser maak.

Vers 14. Die les wat Hy leer is was mekaar se voete.

En weet dat dit verder gaan as voete was,  wees mekaar tot diens.

Word nederig, buk af en gaan na waar die behoefte is. 

Dit is altyd makliker om te praat oor diens, te dink aan diens, te fantaseer oor die grootheid van diens, preke te hoor oor diens as wat dit is om te dien.

Maar die seën, die vreugde, die geluk word nie gevind in praat nie, maar in doen.

Mag God ons oë open vir die voete rondom ons wat was nodig het.

En mag ons voetewas, soos Hy ons leer.

Ons word omring deur duisende voete wat wag om gewas te word.

Here open ons oë dat ons kan sien en doen.

                                                                   AMEN.

 

 

Maundy Thursday: 09 April 2020

St. Peter’s Plettenberg Bay

This is far from ordinary and or usual; at best it is extra-ordinary and very unusual. This is a time in the church’s calendar when we celebrate the Triduum or the three great days when we enter into the passion-death- resurrection of Jesus Christ and His redeeming us.

And the church wants us to observe these events as a whole and not as three separate parts of the saving story. It is almost presented as a single service starting with a joyous greeting at the beginning of the Maundy Thursday service, which with Good Friday ends without dismissal until the glorious end on Easter when we are joyfully send out to go out and love and serve the Lord.

And the Alleluia’s adds emphasis to the celebratory tone of Easter. Victory was won, now we are free, but till then, in three days’ time we are to deal with two other aspects of the redemption story and the first is the journey of Maundy Thursday.

The Institution of the Last Supper we will attend to on the occasion of the feast of Corpus Christi.

Maundy Thursday celebrates the commandment to love and to serve one another given by a savior prepared to wash feet even that of Judas who betrayed Him and Peter who denied Him.

It is the evening before the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus, a really intense time for Him.

His work is almost done; He turns to His disciples and fixed His attention on them.

In their community the lowliest and most menial task is to stoop down and wash the feet of others.

It is a job best reserved for slaves and servants.

People returning home after a journey or visiting family and or friends find their feet dirty, by more than just dust.

And the landlord will always have a slave at hand to assist.

Peter and John were send to make the necessary preparations for the meal and fellowship.

The food has been prepared; the table set and in a corner stood a bucket with water and a towel, but no sight of a slave and or servant.

What is wrong with the two of them, they surely should have arranged this and spared every one the discomfort and embarrassment.

Someone should at least wash the feet of the master, but who shall that someone be.

Not me, it will strip me of my worth and honor and if I do it now, it will sort of become my job, forever.

Maybe I should just wait and see; maybe someone else will step up and do it.

And everyone was hoping that someone else will do it or offer to do it.

They all sat there, justifying themselves in all sorts of ways.

I did it last time; it is someone else’s turn.

John has never done it, it is his turn.

The atmosphere is intense, and one can almost sense the discomfort.

I came here to spend time with my master, and according to His predictions this may be the last time we meet in such a fashion and washing feet is not what I came to do.

I am here for spiritual enrichment and Jesus wouldn’t want me to get up.

And the sadness of the situation is that it sounds all too familiar for my liking.

This is us.

Peter is thinking “What is wrong with these fools, do they not who and what I am?

I am the one with the best proposals and answers to the master’s questions.

I am the one with whom the master resonates best and with whom He can identify best, since I recognized Him as the savior the Son of the living God.

Do they not see my leadership skills and character?

I am the rock and if you knew this, you would have volunteered to not only wash the feet of the master, but mine also.

We do not know anything more about this, other than that no one offered to do the washing of feet and that was amongst the bunch that we call disciples.

Now let us turn to the Master, The Teacher, and The Son of the living God and what He did.

1. What dido Jesus do?

What did Jesus do?

He stood up, took off his clothes, took a towel and washed the feet of his disciples.

He does not instruct or deliver a paper on servant hood, or servant leadership, he taught by example.

He is more than ready to get out of His comfort zone and render service.

Jesus is doing, not saying and or telling, He is laying down honor and making preparations to serve.

We always want to present the analysis and identify the need, but do nothing to address the need.

You will make a lasting impression on others, not through what you teach, but by what you do.

Talk is cheap, get down low, and be of service.

Now is the time for altruistic efforts, not selfishness and seeking honor and recognition.

Think less of self and more about others, as servants we should be about service.

In denying yourself all sorts of privileges, you will discover that you have more time and energy to do something for someone else.

And it show

“He began to wash the feet of the disciples and to dry it with a towel.”

Peter thought himself wiser than Jesus, at first he didn’t want Jesus to wash his feet and in the end he wanted a full bath.

The best we can do is to listen and obey.

2. What did Jesus know?

Jesus knew that His time has come to leave this world to be with His father.

He knew what was awaiting Him and yet He harbored not a single selfish thought.

He considered his disciples, his mother, a common thief and a centurion.

He shows no arrogance although He was almighty, and stooped down to wash the feet of His disciples.

He seeks not recognition, but rendered service.

He even spent quality time with the one who would betray him and another who will shortly deny him.

Are we prepared to wash the feet of friends, let alone that of our enemies?

Jesus is experiencing the most important moments of His life.

He knew that the pain and agony of the cross is here and yet His focus is not on selfish gain but on others.

In the garden He offered himself and pleaded for the release of the rest of the group, whom He said, was innocent of any wrongdoing or offence.

This He, Jesus did knowing well that the Father has subjected all things unto Him and has given Him power and dominion over all things and yet.

See how humble we can be until honor and affirmation is visited upon us, until people give us recognition and elevate us from one level to the other.

Jesus lived not for recognition, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Jesus knew that He would be betrayed by Judas who was filled with deceit and yet He did not distance Himself from him.

He did not point a finger, apportion blame or asked why?

He loved, unconditionally until the very end and don’t you worry that end is not too far off, that we celebrate tomorrow, Good Friday.

Jesus washed the feet of Judas with the same passion and compassion.

In Him there is no place for bitterness, hate, spite, regret or anger.

Just sadness for Judas, the path he chose and his refusal to repent.

Are we ready to wash feet? Yes the feet of those who will never be able to return the favor?

3. What did Jesus teach them?

Do you understand what I have done to you?

Do you realize the importance of this simple, but yet profound act?

It is more than just washing feet and meeting needs.

I gave you an example, go and do likewise.

Be of service to others; represent me to this sinful world.

Be humble, bow down, was feet, attend to the needs of others.

If you had an experience off and with me, go and share it with others through your service unto them.

It is the love of God in our hearts that enables us to wash the feet of others.

The lesson in verse 14, go and do likewise, go wash feet, go and serve.

It is always easier to talk about service, to think about service, to fantasize about the integrity of service, to hear sermons preached about service, than it is to serve.

But the blessing, the joy, the happiness will not be found in in the talk, but in the walk, go out and serve.

May we go out and wash feet as Jesus has taught us to.

We are surrounded by thousands of feet in need of washing.

Lord open our eyes that we may see and do.

                                                                   AMEN.