Meal of Remembrance and Service

Psalm 116:1-4,12-19, John 13:1-35

“I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord” (Psalm 116:13).

“I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another” (John 13:34)

We gather at this table today to commemorate Jesus' act of service and to honor his command to remember him through the meal he instituted. This meal of remembrance is the focal point of our service. We reenact it year after year to remind ourselves of this significant moment each time we partake in this sacrament. As we gather, we are transported back to the upper room, where we hear the words about his body and blood. While we may not fully understand everything about this, we experience a profound sense of presence as we participate. The bread is more than just bread, and the juice is more than merely juice; they symbolize the real presence of Jesus Christ. This is what we refer to as the real presence. That is the essence of this day: to celebrate this meal and acknowledge that presence.

If the meal is the focus of the event, why do we call it Maundy Thursday? The term "Maundy" comes from the Latin word "mandatum," which means "command." Some interpret this to suggest that the true observance of this day during Holy Week is the washing of feet, a ritual performed by Jesus in the upper room. This act reveals the type of leadership that Jesus desired from His followers, both then and now. The emphasis is on acts of service, which serve as a model for us. The washing of feet is a humbling and transformative experience within the context of worship. When we gather for worship, we are invited to embrace the self-sacrificial service that Jesus exemplifies. Engaging in this ritual brings to light the demands of a life dedicated to service.

The psalm text encourages a shift in emphasis from focusing on meals to embracing service. It suggests that the appropriate response to God's gift of salvation, where the psalmist speaks of being heard after many supplications, is to serve. Service plays a central role in understanding the life of the redeemed. It is not about earning redemption but is instead a response to it. “I will pay my vows” does not represent a transactional approach to faith. Rather, the spirit of generosity and the commitment to service arise from gratitude and joy, as well as from the ongoing awareness that we dwell with God or that God dwells with us. There is joy in that divine presence and in that relationship                                                                                                

Sacrament and service are the central themes of this Maundy Thursday. However, we might ask, “Is this the true ‘mandate’ of Maundy Thursday? Is it simply to eat bread and wash feet?” These are powerful, symbolic acts—perhaps even more than mere symbols. To fully grasp the spirit behind the actions we engage in during worship this evening, we need to delve a bit deeper into the story. After the event involving the bread, and with one less person at the table, Jesus reveals the commandment from which this day derives its name.

In verse 34, he states: “I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another.”

The command to love can be interpreted in two ways: as a universal principle or as one meant specifically for the fellowship among believers. Some argue that Jesus aimed to help His followers understand that they could only thrive together as a community. They could truly embody the life of a disciple only through the encouragement and support of others who share their faith and have committed to this way of living. Jesus urged them to take care of one another, serve one another, and love one another.

Additionally, we can view this command as applicable to every encounter and relationship at all times. The one who invited us to love our enemies surely would encourage us to love everyone. The same individual who taught us to see those in need as our neighbors reminded us that the greatest commandment is to love God and our neighbors—two sides of the same coin, one rule with two expressions. “We’re gonna stand up and take our people with us on our way home”—this includes all people, anyone in need, and those facing oppression. This understanding reflects what Jesus emphasized in the upper room on the night before His suffering and death: that we are commanded to remember to love one another.

Sometimes, we struggle with loving others. That’s the hard truth we face in our journey. We often find it difficult to show love because of our fears and hesitations. We tend to draw lines, identify enemies, and keep our distance. We look for scapegoats and worry that loving others is too risky, uncomfortable, and challenging to our view of the world.

Ultimately, this is why we gather at this table of grace. Here, we remember the command to love and serve one another. We come seeking healing and forgiveness, recognizing the importance of modeling service in humble ways. As we kneel before our friends and family in this community of faith, we begin to envision a different world—one characterized by acceptance and grace, where God’s will is fulfilled on earth as it is in heaven. For that vision, we will stand up.