MAUNDY THURSDAY Rev. Mark P. Bruesehoff
THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2006 “DISCIPLES: WASHED AND FED” St. John – Ocean City, NJ
The latest craze in the world of television and in particular in the world of REALITY TELEVISION is the MAKE-OVER SHOW. When it’s a house or a restaurant that is MADE-OVER, it’s all about function. But when it comes to MAKING-OVER a person, then it’s all about turning the ugly duckling into the beautiful swan.
I’m not going to hold back here today. I’ll tell you right up front that I have a strong dislike for reality television. Mostly because I think it’s about as far from reality as anything can get. In the first place, the real problem with the make-over of a person, is that they only spend time working on the outside. The teenager who goes from ripped jeans, leather, chains and piercings, to something far beyond the “preppy look” is probably going to hate every minute of it. And is probably going to end up hating every one who had anything to do with it. So what’s the point? If we provide a MAKE-OVER for the outside, but never change what is on the inside, have we really done something so wonderful?
The real MAKE-OVER, the original MAKE-OVER happens in the series of events that is remembered on this Thursday of Holy Week. The day we call MAUNDY THURSDAY. That word MAUNDY comes from the Latin word MANDATUM, from which we get the word MANDATE or COMMAND. And the command for today gets right to the heart of what it means to be a Disciple. Jesus says, LOVE ONE ANOTHER. It’s going to take more than makeup and a new hair style. It’s going to take more than stylish clothes and the right accessories. It’s going to take a good thorough washing, as only Jesus can do. It’s going to take a good nutritious feeding, as only Jesus can do.
On the last night of his life, Jesus wore a loose-fitting outer garment. It was functional, common and dressy enough for the dinner portion of the evening, including the breaking of the bread and the pouring of the wine. But when it came time to teach the lesson and to serve, He took off His outer garment, wrapped a towel around His waist, and got down to the real work of being the Savior of the people. The towel was more fitting to the task of serving; more necessary for the washing of the feet of His followers; and better for teaching His followers how to serve one another.
What does the well-dressed Christian wear? That is not an invitation to check out the wardrobe of those around us. Clothes may make the person, as Mark Twain said, but the outer garment is of no interest to God. God is concerned about what is on the inside.
What inner garments are worn by the well-dressed Child of God? We will find that lesson in St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians. “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”
On the other side of the equation, what should we avoid? St. Paul doesn’t hold back, he’ll tell it like it is. “Put to death whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed. You must get rid of all such things, anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator.”
Imagine standing in front of the “closet of life” right now, surveying our wardrobe. If we find anything on this list: impurity, greed, anger, malice, abusive language or lying, we should give it the old heave-ho. Down to the garbage can, out to the alley, out of sight and out of mind. Don’t bother giving it to someone else, or donating it to charity, or even bringing it here for the Rummage Sale. It’s not going to look any better on anyone else than it looks on us!
And now start over. Go for the MAKE-OVER! Before we dress, WE WASH. And in the waters of Baptism we are made clean. Clean right down to the bone. Behind the ears, between the toes, and most especially in the heart and the mind. We are washed by the water and reborn to the grace of God, the love of Jesus and the power of the Spirit. Before we dress, WE ARE FED. And when Jesus puts His serving attire back on, He offers us the gifts of His own body and blood. This is My body – given for you! This is My blood – shed for you!
We are the disciples WASHED. We are the disciples FED. And now it’s time for the dressing, for the outer garment, for the robe of righteousness, and the helmet of salvation. Put on the Lord Jesus. And listen as Jesus says, “I am giving you a new commandment: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should love one another. By this the world will know that you are My disciples.”
Vince Lombardi was asked what it took to make a winning team. He said there were three things: first the fundamentals of the game and second discipline. But they are not enough to win the game. The third element has to be present as well: If you’re going to play together as a team, you’ve got to care about one another. Each player has to be thinking about the other players and saying, “If I don’t block for that person, then they can’t do their job. I have to do my job, so they can do theirs.”
The MAKE-OVER starts here today. We are His Disciples. We are washed in the water of Baptism. We are fed in the supper He has prepared. And the “one another” that we are to love, BEGINS HERE! But it does not end here. We gotta understand. The world is watching! Our friends are observing! Our neighbors take notice! Not to mention, there are no secrets hidden from God.
We are the Disciples WASHED in the water of Baptism. We are the Disciples FED at the table of our Lord. We are the Disciples MADE-OVER for a mission – TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Amen.
Sola Deo Gloria!