SETTING THE CONTEXT

All through the season of Lent, we have been reflecting upon the 23^rd psalm. The psalm is attributed to David who had been a shepherd as a boy and who became king of Israel and Judah. Tonight we continue with that reflection.

Read Psalm 23:1-5

Jesus knew that his time on earth was growing short. His execution was looming and in John’s Gospel he is trying to teach the disciples as much as he can before it happens. In the passage we are about to read, Jesus not only tells the disciples about his way but he demonstrates it.

Read John 13:1-17, 34-35

THE SERMON

Imagine yourself being surrounded by enemies. You are besieged by animosity and bombarded by dislike at best and hatred at worst. I don’t know about you, but that situation usually leads me to question myself and my worth. Could they be right about me?

Throughout Lent we have been reflecting on the 23^rd Psalm enjoying the lovely images of sheep and pastures and taking in the promise of God’s comforting presence even when walking valleys of the shadow of death and facing adversaries. David, who had experienced being pursued and surrounded by enemies, tells us that the Divine Shepherd prepares a table for us and anoints our heads with oil. Remember that eating with someone indicated to the person and the greater community that the host found them acceptable and shared a common set of ideas and values and often, social position with that person.^[i] So God prepares a table for us even in the presence of our enemies to remind us and others of God’s love and acceptance of us, but David tells us in the psalm that God goes even further than that saying, “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

Anointing with oil is a very ancient practice. The book of Leviticus tells us that Aaron and the first priests during the time of Moses were consecrated or set apart with olive oil. Anointing with oil served a number of functions. It was an act of hospitality. It was an act for healing. Certain people were anointed by prophets to indicate that they were chosen by God and worthy to be the king of Israel. Both objects and people were anointed with oil to set them apart for religious service. In fact, one of the definitions found in the dictionary for anoint is “to dedicate to the service of God.”^[ii]  As Rabbi Harold Kushner says, “When the psalmist writes, ‘Thou anointest my head with oil,’ he is saying, God, You have not only given me the gifts of food and safety, You have given me the gift of being special, and I accept the responsibility that comes with that gift.”^[iii] In the midst of my enemies, God not only tells me I am acceptable but calls and utilizes me in the Lord’s service!

No wonder he says “my cup overflows.” God’s generosity is amazing. Here we are wondering if our enemies are correct in their assessment and God says not only are you adequate, but you are special enough to be dedicated to me and my work. Jesus demonstrated this astonishing generosity to his disciples when he washed their feet. As one of his last acts in John’s Gospel, Jesus took on the role of a slave, only women and slaves washed people’s feet. Imagine the Son of God bending over your dirty, bunioned and calloused feet; many of us are uncomfortable with the idea of our pastor or church leader doing this, now imagine if it were Jesus himself. No wonder Peter was so upset about it, to see his beloved master so humbled was outrageous, dishonorable, but Jesus was insistent that this was critical to Peter’s discipleship. This act demonstrates not only Jesus’ humility and self-giving but it shows God’s intimate love and care for us. Jesus sets the example of what we must do if we want to be like him, if we want to be his disciples.

“If I your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. (John 13:14)” We are chosen, we are anointed not to be privileged over other people, but to serve others. Jesus was the Messiah, which means “God’s Anointed One” with a capital “A”. The Messiah was not only dedicated to service to God, but he was king. Jesus truly demonstrated servant leadership. No service was beneath him and no service should be beneath us. He set the standard, “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

I heard on the radio once, “Your face may be the only face of Jesus that some people see today.” Being anointed is a gift and a responsibility. Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life states that in some churches in China, they welcome new believers by saying, “Jesus now has a new pair of eyes to see with, new ears to listen with, new hands to help with, and a new heart to love others with.”^[iv] I know that that is a wonderful sentiment but it is so hard to put into action. It’s hard to give up power and to humble ourselves to be servants. Some of us may hear that tonight and say that’s too much for me. It’s more than I can do. I’m tired or I’ve got too much going on in my life and besides I can’t handle stinky feet!

At the end of the day a good shepherd stands at the doorway of the sheepfold and “rods” his sheep. With his rod he holds back the sheep and inspects them. He has a horn filled with olive oil and cedar-tar to anoint any bruises or cuts and if a sheep just looks weary and worn, he bathes its face and head in oil and gives it a drink of water from a two-handled cup.^[v] Jesus does not ask us to carry on his work, he does not ask us to serve others alone. We have each other and we have his anointing hand to refresh and renew us. And when we are surrounded by enemies whether it is people or weariness or sin he goes beyond what a good shepherd would do. As Keller says, “And now no matter what storms I face, His very life and strength and vitality is poured into mine. It overflows so the cup of my life runs over with His life… often with great blessing and benefit to others who see me stand up so well in the midst of trials and suffering.”  Tonight we invite you to experience “the table Christ has set before you” through Holy Communion that you might receive his life poured out for you and for many so that our cups may overflow. We do this in remembrance of him who said, “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” Amen.

Sermon delived by Rev. Nancy Cushman on Maundy Thursday, March 20, 2008.