[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during April 2021]
Then Noah sent out a dove to see if the water had receded from the surface of the ground. But the dove could find nowhere to perch because there was water over all the surface of the earth; so it returned to Noah in the ark. He reached out his hand and took the dove and brought it back to himself in the ark. Genesis 8 v8-9 [NIVUK]
In 1769 a London newspaper linked the concept of April Fools’ errands with the actions of Noah, in that he sent the dove out from the ark prematurely, before the waters had subsided and that her mission was pointless. The article claimed that the event took place on the first of April, a claim which does somewhat undermine the credibility of the story. But enough of foolery!
In Christian denominations that follow the Anglo-Catholic traditions today is celebrated as Maundy Thursday, often regarded as one of the holy days of Easter. Eastern Orthodox churches use a different calendar which usually recognises an alternative date and so some of us get to celebrate Eastern twice each year.
So, what is the significance of Maundy Thursday?
Maundy Thursday is a celebration of the events recorded in the Gospels, when Jesus held his last supper with his disciples prior to his crucifixion. In the account that John gives of that event, he describes how Jesus took a bowl of water and proceeded to wash the disciples’ feet. It was an act that normally performed by a servant but Jesus used it to demonstrated his humility and willingness to serve his disciples.
Some denominations continue to replicate the washing of feet as part of the preparations for Easter. Often this is performed by the bishops of the denomination washing the feet of a representative selection of parishioners. Elsewhere, the washing of feet is offered in conjunction with the observance of Holy Communion.
Perhaps this is a suitable moment to pause to remember and thank those who perform essential services such as washing the feet of people who are unable to do it for themselves. Not a pleasant task but an excellent opportunity to follow our Lord’s example.
The washing of feet was a prelude to the Passover Supper which Jesus and his disciples celebrated together. It is interesting that the Old Testament instructions for the Passover indicated that it should be a family event – was Jesus reinforcing his earlier observation that his disciples were now his family? It was during this meal that Jesus took some bread and some wine and instituted the celebration of Holy Communion, an act of remembrance which will continue until Jesus returns.
It is significant that the gospel writers tells us that Judas Iscariot was present at that meal but yet he proceeded with his plan to betray Jesus. This demonstrates that is not sufficient to merely participate in the rituals of faith; a change of heart is required.
In some places Maundy Thursday is recognised as an opportunity to give alms or special gifts to the poor; this practice itself is derived from the command that Jesus gave to his disciples:
A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
[John 13 v34-35 NIVUK]
Given that it is All Fools’ day, perhaps it is appropriate to end with a quote from a more recent disciple who was martyred whilst obeying that command:
He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. Jim Elliot, 1927–1956
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © the Author
