Maundy Thursday

Dear FBC Family,

Today is Maundy Thursday, one of the holiest and most somber days of the year.  Normally, we would be having a Maundy Thursday service tonight, but that is not possible as we separate ourselves from the COVID-19 threat.  Since we cannot be together in person, I want to share some thoughts with you as you observe this most holy of days.

Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church said, “These holy days are holy days because they take human suffering seriously. They were born in the crucible of hard times and suffering. That's a reminder that the God that we serve and believe in is a God who is always in the midst of life and in the midst of suffering and hardship, and together with our God, we can walk through this.”

Has there ever been a more relevant time in our life to observe this sacred weekend?  Every day we are bombarded with news of more deaths, more deaths than 9/11, more deaths than Pearl Harbor---before long we will have more deaths that Vietnam.  The Passion of our Savior is a story of suffering and death, of pain and loss, of separation and hardship.  

John, the Gospel writer, gives us a prolonged account of what took place in Jerusalem that night when Jesus gathered with his disciples to observe the Passover.  I would encourage you to read John 13-17—five chapters in all—it all took place in the Upper Room.

Read these powerful words, reflect on them, apply them to our present situation.  Here are some of my thoughts.

1)    In times of great danger, it is very important to observe the great traditions of our faith.  We call this meal “The Last Supper,” but John reminds us in 13: 1 that this was the feast of the Passover.  Jesus was a faithful Jew and his first priority was keeping the tradition.  We can’t gather for a service or a meal, but we can still worship together via the radio and streaming that will hopefully be ready by Sunday.  Even in times of social isolation, we can observe the traditions of our faith that bring a spiritual connection. 

2)   In times of danger and distress, we still must engage of acts of humility and service.  John tells us that Jesus knew his hour had come, yet he still washed the disciples’ feet—an act usually done by a servant.  And consider this, he washed the feet of Judas and served his supper.  (John 13)

3)   In critical times, the greatest thing we can do is love one another.  “Maundy” is the Latin word for mandate.  It was on this night that Jesus gave his disciples a new “mandate,” a new commandment:  “That you love one another, even as I have loved you.”  (John 13: 34)

4)   Times of loss create great stress and anxiety.  Jesus told his disciples that he was leaving them, but then reminded them that they believed in God, so they should continue to believe in him.  In times that create stress and anxiety, we should never give up believing in Jesus because he said, “I will not leave you desolate, I will come to you.”  (John 14: 18)

5)   In times of great uncertainty and anxiety, we can find peace (shalom) with God.  It is a peace that the world cannot give.  We know we can experience this peace because Jesus promised that the Father is sending us the Counselor, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit.  (John 14: 25-27)

6)   In times of fear and uncertainty, it is important to talk about what life will be like when the troubling time is over.  Jesus’ beautiful analogy of the vine and branches came in the midst of the fear of the Upper Room.  He was telling the disciples how life would be in the future, especially if we “abide in him.”  He calls the disciples his friends and tells them the greatest love is one lays down his life for his friends.  He continues to talk about the “new commandment” to love one another.   At a time of great fear and danger, he talks about joy!  (John 15)

7)   It is important in troubling times, to put everything in perspective.  This is what Jesus is doing in John 16.  He is helping the disciples to understand that this is all part of God’s plan.  He is leaving so the Holy Spirit can come.  He tells them that there will be times of persecution and travail, but one day it will all be worth it when we see Jesus again and rejoice and “no one will take your joy from you.”  (John 16)

8)   There is nothing more important in times of distress than prayer.  Jesus’ great prayer is recorded in John 17.  He prays earnestly for all of his followers, that we may know the only true God and that God would protect them in this evil world.  He also prays for unity, that we should all be one.  At the conclusion of this prayer for his people, Jesus leaves the Upper Room and crosses the Kidron Valley and enters the Garden of Gethsemane.

Wow—so much is there.  So much for us to contemplate today—Maundy Thursday.  

We are beginning to see a positive trend in the COVID-19 numbers that tells us the “Stay at Home” mandate and social distancing appear to be working.  Yesterday there were 74 reported cases.  The encouraging news is that 36 of those, almost half, have recovered.  But we still haven’t reached the peak, so please stay vigilant.  If you must go out into public, please wear a mask and carry disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer.  

 If you do get sick, the first thing you should do is call your doctor.  The majority of people who get COVID-19 get mild symptoms.  The authorities are saying that you should only go to the hospital in the event of “significant symptoms.”   When pressed on what exactly this means, Lillian Koontz (our dedicated Health Department Director) said if you are having difficulty breathing, that is when you should seek medical assistance.

If you go to Lexington Medical Center with respiratory difficulties, an alternative treatment center for possible COVID-19 cases has been set up between the Emergency Department and the Outpatient Entrance.  It will be well marked.

Let me encourage you to get your information on the crisis from reliable sources.  There are too many rumors and misinformation circulating online, and there are numerous scams.  Wake Forest Baptist has an information number 336-702-6843.  Novant Health has an information number 877-966-8668.  The official North Carolina link to current information is:   https://www.ncdhhs.gov/covid-19-case-count-nc 

Grace and Peace as we journey together,

Ray