Bare Feet in a Maundy Thursday Snow

It was an unusual night.  In the first place, it was not often that we had worship at that Piedmont NC church on a weekday night much less a Thursday night.  In the second place, it was a snowy night.  It would not have seen unusual if the month had been January or February, but it was April and farmers were planting corn just across from the church. 

It was a special night and not just any old night.  It was the Maundy Thursday of Holy Week, and the family of faith was coming together to worship.  The gospels tell us about two things that happened on that Thursday of Holy Week.  First, they tell us that Jesus gathered together with his disciples for the Passover meal.  As they were eating, he took a piece of bread saying “this is my body” and he took a cup and said “this is my blood”.   It was a fortaste to what would behold in the life of Jesus less than 24 hours away when he died on a cross outside the city of Jerusalem.  Secondly, the gospel of John alone tells us that Jesus also did something else on that special night: he washed the naked, dirty feet of the disciples like a servant would.   

The night became ever more unusual during the worship service when the front door of the church opened and  in walked  a man, woman, and children  that were unknown to this pastor.  After the service, I became aware that no one else knew the folks either.  While it might be normal for some churches to have guests regularly, guests that no one knew were the exception rather than the rule at that rural church. After the service ended, I discovered that the family was there not just for worship but for another reason.  That reason was that they needed help. 

They told me and a layman of the church  their story:  The man had been promised a job in New York, and so the family had driven from Texas to New York.  Unfortunately, the job did not work out and they were on their way back home.  They were out of money, and could our church provide some food, lodging, and some gas to get them closer to home in Texas.  While I still remember their story over 30 years later, what I remember the most of that Maundy Thursday encounter was the bare feet of their son walking through the snow of that April evening.

 Christians will gather in many places and many lands this Maundy Thursday to  eat the bread and partake of the cup.  They will remember the gift of Christ Jesus for them and for all.   We do well also  on Maundy Thursday to remember  the act of Jesus to wash the feet of his disciples.  As Jesus served as he washed the feet of his disciples long ago, let us remember the opportunity to serve that sometimes is right there at our doorstep on snowy April evenings and other times.  Have a joy-filled week.- Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:   O God, move us with compassion to serve others even as Christ served. Amen.