Extravagant Hospitality

The story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet is familiar and a favorite of many.

But it is one that is difficult for us to completely understand because there is no modern cultural equivalent to foot washing.

In first-century Judea, the standard for footwear was sandals and roads were unpaved.

So, during the course of a day, especially a day wandering the countryside, teaching and healing—during those long days of walking, feet became very dirty.

So, having a place where you could remove your sandals and clean your feet—that was an act of hospitality.

Having the host wash your feet was an act of extravagant hospitality.

Many churches incorporate foot washing into their Maundy Thursday service.

Even the pope washes feet on this day.

Foot washing can be a very powerful spiritual experience.

But, because we lack that first-century cultural context, it can become entirely about humility.

We can miss the aspect of extravagant hospitality.

Emanuel does not have a tradition of foot washing.

So, I thought I would start a new tradition with an Agape Supper.

Now, I know there is a tradition of having a potluck before Maundy Thursday service.

But the Agape Supper is an opportunity for me to show hospitality in a way other than washing feet.

It is an opportunity for me to serve in a way that is different from the way I normally do.

And it’s also an opportunity for me to show gratitude for the love and support that I receive.

So, I hope that you enjoyed it and that it becomes a new Maundy Thursday tradition.

Now, I don’t mean to imply that the humility aspect of foot washing isn’t important.

It certainly is.

Humility is a gift of the Spirit.

It is a sign that we have been transformed by faith—that we have evolved beyond our pride and self-absorption.

It is important to be humble.

Humility reminds us that all we have is from God and we are only stewards.

Humility reminds us that we NEED God.

The God, who shows us unconditional love.

The God, who give us abundant grace, not because we deserve it—could ever deserve it—but because of who God is.

The God, who calls us by name and claims us as God’s own.

Jesus is a shining example of humility—of surrendering oneself to God.

In Matthew 20, we read, “Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest.

And anyone among you who wishes to be first must serve the needs of all, as if enslaved—just as the Chosen One came not to be served but to serve, and to die in ransom for many”.

Humility is a characteristic we ought to aspire to.

Because, as followers of Jesus, we are called to be Christ-like.

We must be willing, not only to serve, but also to put the needs of others before our own.

But that is not an easy task for mere mortals.

So, what does a mindset of service and community look like?

It looks like feeding the hungry—as Jesus did with the 5,000—or we might do when we fight for reinstatement of SNAP and WIC benefits.

It looks like standing up for the oppressed and the marginalized—as Jesus did with women, tax collectors, and sinners—or we might do when we stand up for immigrants and transgender folks.

It looks like not judging—as Jesus did when he said, “Let the person among you who is without sin throw the first stone at her.”—or we might do by opposing the death penalty.

It looks like rejecting violence—as Jesus did when he said, “But I tell you, offer no resistance whatsoever when you’re confronted with violence. When someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn and offer the other.”—or we might do when we advocate for gun control or oppose war.

It looks like recognizing our own privilege and then using that privilege to help others with less privilege.

In the current “me first” culture, the fundamental ideas behind Jesus’ washing his disciples’ feet are more important than ever.

We must be humble AND extend extravagant hospitality.

We must humbly admit our own limitations.

Alone, we can’t make the world more just.

Alone, we can’t bring the Kin-dom closer.

We need the Body of Christ.

We need this community of faith.

And we need God.

St. Augustine said, “Without God, we cannot. Without us, God will not”.

We need God’s help to address injustice.

We need God to co-create the Kin-dom.

But that doesn’t mean we get to sit back and wait for divine intervention.

It means that we look to the words and the actions of Jesus to guide us.

It means that we look for the Spirit to work in our hearts and our minds.

And we must continue to be guided by God’s examples of extravagant hospitality—not only Jesus washing his disciples’ feet but also his welcoming us to the table of forgiveness in Holy Communion.

All are welcome to come to God’s table.

Rich or poor.

Black, white, or brown.

Whatever our gender.

Whatever our expression of gender or sexuality.

Whatever language we speak.

Whatever our country of origin.

We all possess the divine image of God.

God sees each of us with the same eyes—the eyes of a loving parent.

A loving parent that always includes us—always welcomes us—and commands us to do the same.

As we come to the table on this holy day that commemorates the Last Supper, may we remember the words of the Apostle Paul from today’s second lesson: “For every time we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim Jesus’ death until Christ comes.”

We are reminded that Christ has died.

But Christ is risen.

And Christ will come again.

God’s extravagant hospitality of bread and wine comes with a gift and a promise.

The gift is the forgiveness we receive in the sacrament.

And the promise is found in Jesus’ quote from the prophet Isaiah, “This is the time of fulfillment.

The reign of God is at hand!

Change your hearts and minds, and believe this Good News!”

Believe the Good News!

Believe that God’s justice is coming.

Believe that the Kin-dom is near.

Believe that every time we show extravagant hospitality, the Kin-dom is closer still.

As we go forth from this place, may we accept Jesus’ call to be humble—as he was when he knelt at his disciples’ feet.

May we accept Jesus’ call to show extravagant hospitality—as he did when he washed and dried his disciples’ feet.

And may we accept the call “go and do likewise”—by being loving and caring for our neighbors, especially the oppressed and marginalized who need it most.

May this meditation on God’s word keep our hearts and minds on Christ Jesus. Amen.