A sermon preached by the Reverend Canon Dr. David Anderson on Maundy Thursday, April 17, 2025, at St. Jude’s Church. (Text: John 13:1–17, 31b–35).
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
As we gather here tonight on this sacred Maundy Thursday, we stand at a profound moment in our journey as we come to the end of the season of Lent and begin the Great Three Day of Easter, the Easter Triduum. This night provides us with a moment that invites us to reflect on the essence of love, humility, and service as witnessed in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Tonight, we remember the Last Supper at which Jesus sat and shared the Passover Meal with his disciples, and in which he gave the church the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. But this night is more than that. Tonight, we receive powerful examples about what it means for us to be followers of this Jesus, what it means to love as he loved us, and what is means to live our lives in way shaped by this love. In other words, Jesus shows us what Christian discipleship looks like; he shows us how our lives, in him, can be lived. Jesus shows us the shape of the abundant and eternal life which he graciously invites each and every person to enjoy.
On this night Jesus gathered with his friends. (Gathering with friends is, by the way, always a good place to start when we seek to live a life shaped for God’s reign. We are always talking about a life lived in community; the Christian life is not normally a life lived in solitude.) Jesus gathered with friends, and he did so knowing that his path would soon lead to the cross. It was within this intimate setting that not only spoke about the heart of his own ministry, but embodied it in powerful ways. Jesus demonstrated the heart of his ministry—a call to love one another as he has loved us.
The term ‘Maundy’ comes from the Latin ‘mandatum,’ meaning commandment, rooted in Jesus’ words on this evening, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (13:34). This commandment encapsulates the essence of Jesus’ message and how we, as his followers, are to live in the world.
A little background will help us, I think. Our Bibles of course contain four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each of these are biographies of the life of Jesus. As such, they contain quite a lot of common material, but each one also has its own emphases, and some of them include material that is either unique to them or shared only with one or two of the others. For example, tonight’s Gospel describes Jesus having the Last Supper with his disciples, however, John does not tell us about our Lord’s institution of the Eucharist in the way that the other biographies of Jesus do. He does not describe Jesus taking the bread, giving thanks, breaking the bread, and giving it to his disciples. He does not describe Jesus giving the cup of wine as the new covenant in his blood. What John does tell us about—that the other biographies do not include—is the description of Jesus washing the disciple’s feet. And what is interesting about this, is that John describes Jesus’ action in a very sacramental way, leading some scholars to suggest that perhaps footwashing was the sacrament celebrated by John’s community and that only later did the Lord’s Supper, or what we call the Eucharist, became one of the principal sacraments of the church.
In any case, if we do consider some of what Luke tells us about this evening in his account, we perhaps gain a little context for understanding Jesus’ action of washing the disciple’s feet, and his provision of the example of humble service. In the Gospel of Luke, we find the disciples on this same occasion, sharing this final meal with their Lord, but engaged in a heated discussion about who among them was the greatest (Luke 22:24-27). They were consumed with thoughts of power, prestige, and status, each trying to assert their importance in the group. Jesus acknowledges that this is the way of the world, but he tells them plainly, “But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves” (Luke 22:26).
Imagine the tension in the room as these men, who had walked alongside Jesus, debated their significance in the eyes of their teacher. Yet, we understand. This argument highlights a central human concern and need—the desire for recognition and value. However, in their argument, as they quarreled about their own greatness, Jesus was preparing to serve them in the most profound way and to show them where recognition and value can be found beyond beating our own chests.
In stark contrast to the disciples’ desire for status, Jesus models humility and service. In tonight’s Gospel, we witness the striking moment when Jesus takes off his outer garment, wraps a towel around his waist, and kneels before his disciples to wash their feet—the work of a servant. This act of humility was shocking to them, as their rabbi performed a task they deemed beneath him. We will commemorate this event tonight immediately following this homily, as Sarah will wash feet.
In doing so, Jesus teaches us that true greatness is not found in titles and position, but in our willingness to serve others. His response to their argument is clear: greatness in God’s kingdom is defined by our capacity to love selflessly and serve humbly. He encourages us to put aside our pride, showing us that genuine leadership is rooted in love and sacrifice and the fact that true value and meaning are to be found there.
The commandment that Jesus gives on this night—the commandment to love—is a timeless one and raises essential questions: What does it mean to love as Jesus loves? His love was radical—extending grace to the undeserving, forgiveness to sinners, and compassion to the broken. Love, as Jesus teaches us, is not merely a feeling but an active choice demonstrated through action. ‘Love’ is a verb.
So, we rightly ask, how we can embody this love in our daily lives? Every small act of kindness, every moment of patience, and every gesture of forgiveness can ripple outward, reflecting the love of Christ. Jesus calls us to love those who are difficult to love, to serve those who cannot repay us, and to extend grace to those who have wronged us. As Paul teaches us in that magnificent passage from 1 Corinthians 13, this kind of love is not only patient and kind, but it does not insist on its own way.
As I have said, this night is also significant for the institution of the Eucharist, or Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper. In breaking bread and sharing the cup, Jesus established a new covenant with his disciples. He offered not only a meal, but himself—his broken body and shed blood—a sacrificial offering that embodies his infinite love for humanity.
As we partake in the Eucharist, we are not merely remembering a historical event; we are entering into a sacred mystery, experiencing the real presence of Christ among us. That great Love is present here among us, even now. This act nourishes our souls and strengthens us to go out into the world, ready to serve others. It is a tangible reminder of the sacrifice made of love and a call to be agents of that love in our world.
As our Lenten journey ends and the Great Three Days of Easter begin this night, we take with us Jesus’ commandment to love and serve. On Good Friday we see the full extent of God’s sacrificial self-giving love. On Easter morning we celebrate the victory of this love. This love can transform everything: our relationships, our church, our communities, and our world. Reflecting on the disciples’ argument about greatness, let us remember that our worth is not measured by the positions we can claim, or our insistence on our own way, but by our willingness to serve, as exemplified by Jesus.
How can we more deeply embody this love in our everyday lives? Let us think about our relationships—relationships with family, friends, neighbours, and even strangers. How can we express Christ’s love to them? Perhaps it means volunteering our time, offering a listening ear, or simply being present for someone in need. Perhaps it means offering a nutritious meal, as we do through our various food programs here at St. Jude’s. As we strive to carry out this commandment, let us remember that love is not always easy, but it is always worth the effort, because it is the way of the abundant life Jesus promised.
In those moments when we feel tempted to seek recognition or demand what we view as our rightful place, let us instead pause and reflect on the example Jesus set for us. When we witness the struggles of ego and pride, may we be reminded of the disciples’ argument—an argument put to rest by an act of humility that forever changed the nature of leadership.
On this Maundy Thursday, as we meditate in just a moment on Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, may we be inspired to live lives marked by love and service. Let us accept the challenge to embody Christ’s love in our actions and to serve one another with humility.
As we prepare to partake in the sacred meal of Holy Eucharist which Jesus instituted on this very night, let us surrender our hearts anew to the call of Jesus. May we choose to love one another as he has loved us, transcending our desire for greatness and turning toward the beauty of humility and service.
Let this evening be an invitation for each of us to ask: “How can I serve? How can I love?”—and may our answers lead us deeper into the love that Jesus demonstrated, transforming not only our lives but the lives of those around us. Amen. +
