Readings: John 13:1-17,31-35; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
As I expect you know there is a tradition on Maundy Thursday that the sovereign, so King Charles III this year, gives out Maundy Money. Usually it is given to those who are older and those who have served their communities in amazing ways. The number given relates to how old the sovereign is, so this year 76 men and 76 women will be given Maundy Money.
Apparently this ceremony was inspired by Jesus’ actions at the Last Supper, where as we heard in our gospel, he told the disciples to love one another, it was a command or mandatum in Latin – hence Maundy. By the 4th century monarchs would wash the feet of the poor and give out gifts of food and clothing to those in need, seeking to act out the command to love one another. In 1662 King Charles II started the tradition of giving out special coins which remains to this day. Each person gets 3 coins from the King in special pouches a little bit like this (a bag of coins is shown).
Today we remember that mandatum, that command given at the last supper.
On the same evening that Jesus shared supper with his friends; on the same evening he ate with them for the last time, had that last social moment with them; on that same evening he washed their feet in an act of abundant service and self emptying; on that same night he told them to remember him in bread and wine; on that same night a few coins given out by leaders sealed his fate.
I am sure we all know the story – Judas was paid 30 pieces of silver to betray Jesus.
When King Charles gives out coins it is a recognition of good work, a life of service. Jesus’ acts of service and love were seen as a threat and his reward was death.
But thankfully Jesus is also a king, no ordinary monarch. Revelation 17 calls him the Lord of lords and King of kings. He is the ultimate king.
And his gift is not just given to the chosen few, it is for all of us.
He doesn’t just give out his gifts once a year, he is with us always, his gift of love is eternal.
When King Charles gives out coins it is ceremonial, the coins can’t actually be spent, they are symbolic. But Christ’s gift to us is real.
If Maundy money is sold at auction it tends to raise a few hundred pounds. But Jesus’ gift is abundant, priceless, worth more than we can ever imagine.
At the last supper Jesus gave the disciples a final reminder of who he was and why he came. He told them he came to make a new covenant – moving on from the God of the Hebrew scriptures and the promises God made to Abraham, Moses, the Israelites. It was important so they needed to remember it whenever they ate and drank together.
Jesus redcued himself to the position of a servant, the lowest of low servants washed the feet of travellers. He showed them how to serve, to give of themselves to the core of their being.
He reminded Peter of the need to be cleansed, to repent, to confess, be washed clean.
and he told them to love one another as he did – love with compassion, with patience, with justice, with abundance, and in this way others would know of Jesus.
The same examples remain for us.
But do we take the gift Jesus offers us and live it out as he commanded?
do we receive his gift wholeheartedly? Do we see the abundance of it? do we treasure its worth and beauty?
or do we take it for granted, not see it’s worth, go our own way, and throw his gift back in his face?
(the coins are thrown at the foot of the cross)
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