Risk of Intimacy: Maundy Thursday

Holy Week is a journey. We walk with Jesus this week, from his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, to his Last Supper on Thursday, to his cross on Good Friday, to the empty tomb in the darkness of Saturday night, and finally to the glorious light of Sunday morning. To walk with Jesus on the way to Sunday, and beyond, is to share in the risks he took for us.

That word, “risk,” came into my mind during the Stations of the Cross last Sunday. It came into my mind with such force, that it almost felt like a separate voice. Perhaps, as we prepare to break ground on the new sanctuary, and embark on a new journey of faith, it might help us all to consider the risks that are inherent in any new undertaking. In our life of faith, we yearn for those rocks that we find which keep us above the torrent of waters and will stand against the howling winds. But we who call ourselves Christians need to pay close attention to the risks that Jesus took for us.

Tonight, at supper with his disciples, Jesus takes a risk with them. He takes off his outer robes, not robe. He takes off all his outer garments, and is left before his disciples, male and female, with nothing on but the loincloth wrapped around his crotch. And then he takes on the lowest task of any servant, the washing of dirty, dusty feet. By stripping to his underwear, Jesus risks a level of intimacy that is embarrassing, even shameful.

We are offended when someone exposes himself to us, either physically or emotionally beyond our comfort level. The kind of exposure Jesus made before a roomful of men and women we do only with the one person with whom we are the most intimate in this world. And yet, he whom we call our Teacher and our Master exposed himself to all those he called friends. He risked embarrassment and shame for the greater reward of trust between himself and his disciples. And we His disciples today, who call him our Teacher and our Master, we are called to share in that risk.

If anything, the risk of washing feet in our time may be even greater than in Jesus’ time. At least, then one’s sandal-clad feet were open to view. For the most part, our feet are covered and hidden from public view, which probably means that they might actually get dirtier and smellier with the accumulated sweat of the day. But ultimately, the meaning of any ritual is given by those who do it. Whether with feet or hands, ask yourself: Am I prepared to love my fellow members of Christ Episcopal Church as Jesus Christ has loved them? Am I prepared to risk the exposure that comes with the kind of intimacy which Jesus showed to those with him on this night?

Jesus Christ risked everything for our salvation. The risk began with his claim to be a king on Palm Sunday. Tonight, he escalates that risk with an intimacy that is shocking. He will risk even more tomorrow. Tonight, he invites you to begin sharing in his risk, and his reward.