A reflection for Maundy Thursday, reflecting on the theme of the Disciples being served by Jesus. It is written from the point of view of one of the disciples (not Judas) who was present.

Written 27 March 2024

Suggested Scripture: John 13:1-17 and Mark 14:12-26

Jesus – he’s our Rabbi, our leader,
the special one amongst us that everyone adores –
we’re expecting him to lead us as usual tonight,
as we remember the Passover.
But as we watch, Jesus makes a different choice –
he becomes the lowest ranked servant,
quietly, but noticeably rising,
and moving round the table to wash each of our feet.

Perhaps it’s not only the grime being washed away.
It feels that maybe Jesus is cleansing each of us
from whatever it is that holds us back.
Cleansing us, so that each of us may be clean,
clean and free, in body, and in mind and spirit too –
tonight we’re being freed from oppression in a new way,
just as our forefathers were all those years ago.

As quietly as he left it, Jesus joins us back at the table,
offers us the bread and wine –
but there’s something different
about this food from the rest of this meal…
this bread and wine – it nourishes us in a new way,
even if we’re not yet quite sure how.

Jesus, our Rabbi and our leader,
the special one that everyone adores –
he chose to serve, to show his love for each of us.
And as we walk with him to Gethsemane,
as he asks us to join him and to watch while he prays,
we realise we’ve just shared an experience,
and an example of service,
that none of us will ever forget.