On Maundy Thursday, we remember both the command and the example given by Jesus Christ in Gospel of John 13: to love one another as He has loved us and to live that love out through humble service. In washing the disciples’ feet—a task reserved for the lowest servant—Jesus shows that true love is not about status or appearance, but about self-giving care for others. This day, marked by communion and the stripping away of the altar, reminds us that we must walk through darkness to reach the light of Easter, and it calls us to examine our own lives: are we willing to serve as Christ served? As followers of Jesus, we are given clear marching orders—to love, to serve, and to trust that this kind of sacrificial love is how God transforms both us and the world.

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Well, good morning. It’s good to be with you on this Maundy Thursday—the Thursday of Holy Week. This is, for me, probably my favorite day of Holy Week. I mentioned earlier in the week that the cleansing of the temple is one of my favorite teachings of Jesus, but this day… this day is something special. Tonight, churches all over the world—including us at St. Matthew’s—will gather for Maundy Thursday worship, and I really do hope if you’re able, you’ll be part of a service somewhere. There’s just so much meaning wrapped up in what we do. We take communion. We strip the altar. We remove the color. The sanctuary is left bare, almost empty—and that’s intentional. Because when you walk in on Easter morning and everything is full and bright and alive again, you feel it in a different way. You can’t get to the light without first walking through the darkness. You don’t get resurrection without the cross. You don’t get life without death.

In Gospel of John 13, we see what this day is really about. Yes, we talk about the “new commandment”—“that you love one another as I have loved you”—and that’s where the word “Maundy” comes from, that command. But I also want us to sit with what Jesus does, not just what He says. Because Jesus Christ doesn’t just give a command—He shows us what it looks like.

He gets up from the table. He takes off His outer robe. He ties a towel around Himself. And He kneels down and begins to wash the disciples’ feet.

Now, we’ve heard that story before, but don’t let it lose its weight. There was no more humbling, no more demeaning task in that culture than washing someone’s feet. This was servant work. This was the lowest job in the room. And yet the one they call Teacher and Lord is the one who does it.

Peter, of course, pushes back. “Lord, you’re not going to wash my feet.” And Jesus tells him plainly, “If I don’t wash you, you have no share with me.” Peter swings the other direction—“Then not just my feet, but my hands and my head!” And Jesus reminds him he’s already been made clean.

There’s a deeper layer here. The disciples likely would have already gone through ritual washing, what’s known as a mikvah. So this isn’t about ritual purity. Jesus isn’t just cleaning their feet—He’s showing them something about grace. About belonging. About what it means to be His.

And then He says it clearly: “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

That’s it. That’s the call.

We are in the foot-washing business.

If we’re going to love like Jesus, it’s not going to be through words alone. It’s not going to be through appearances or status or power. It’s going to be through service—humble, often unseen, sometimes uncomfortable service. That’s how Jesus loved us. He served us. He gave Himself for us. And He says, “Now you go and do the same.”

And I really do believe this is how the world changes. Not through power. Not through force. But through love that serves. Through people who are willing to kneel down and care for one another. The early church was known for this. Tertullian once said, “See how they love one another.” That’s what set them apart.

And that’s still what should set us apart.

We serve one another in the church, yes—but it doesn’t stop there. We serve our communities. Our neighborhoods. Our towns. The places where God has planted us should be better because we are there. Your family should be better because you’re part of it. Your church should be better because you’re part of it. Your community should feel the presence of Christ because you are living it out.

Because here’s the truth—we’re not above this. We’re not greater than our Master. If Jesus served, then we don’t get to opt out. We don’t get to say, “That’s not my role.” No, this is exactly our role.

On this day, Jesus gives us a command to love. He gives us a meal that reminds us of His love. And He gives us an example of love through service.

So today, we’ve got our marching orders. We know what we’re called to do.

The question is, will we do it?

By His grace, may we not just hear it—but live it.

Hope you have a meaningful Maundy Thursday. And we’ll step into Good Friday together tomorrow.