Is it I?

One of the names for this day is Maundy Thursday, derived from the Latin word mandamus from which we get mandate, so that this is the day of the mandate or command.

The command in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) is clear: Jesus says “Do this.”

We are to take bread, give thanks, break the bread and share it.

All of those words are imperatives, mandates.

These are not divine suggestions, hints or advice, but direct command.

At a similar point in John's Gospel which we heard a moment ago, Jesus gives another command:

“Love one another, even as I have loved you.”

In both the synoptics as well as the Gospel of John , Jesus speaks of the rejection of his word and command by even his closest disciples.

With sadness, but in a matter of fact way, Jesus tells the disciples that it is not only the crowds, but even the disciples will fall away.

They will not trust his word, they will not obey his commandments.

The disciples fall all over themselves trying to discover who are the guilty ones, and to show themselves in a good light.

In Matthew's account, they ask piously “Is it I?”

How will Jesus respond to their question?

The fancy word which we are getting ready to tackle is justification.

This is a word which Lutherans have long liked to use.

The word comes from a legal context.

We know what it means when defendants are declared to have been “justified” in their actions.

In spite of activities which seem to be pointing toward a verdict of “guilty”, the judge says “because of specific circumstances I find you 'not guilty.'”

And we stand there with mouth open.

That is exactly the scene the Bible has in mind when we use the word justification.

We stand for judgment and our actions point to our guilt.

Jesus as the defense attorney says “I will take responsibility for making things right, so for my sake, let this person go free.”

And God declares: “Therefore, you are justified; go, and live!”

All that we can do, standing there with our mouths open in amazement, is to say Thank you, and do as he asks.

It is clear that justification is something which we cannot do ourselves: it is declared to us, and we can only receive it and treasure it.

It cannot be earned.

We have a very hard time holding onto that concept, it seems.

The disciples, even in this most intense evening, and at a meal charged with remembrance and expectation, fail to grasp it.

Jesus tells them about rejection, and they begin to try to justify themselves.

“Well now, I couldn't do that; I wouldn't betray Jesus. Who could it be?”

“I'm ready to stand with you,” says Peter.

“You can count on us.”

As pastor, I usually hear it in versions something like this:

--“I've really tried hard to live a Christian life.”

--“I'm not so much at worship, but I have my reasons.”

--“I know that you have asked me to share in a particular ministry , but I'm sure there is someone else better suited than me.”

And on, and on, and on....

We, like the disciples, are busy trying to justify ourselves, and it cannot be done.

Jesus addresses us this day and says for us to cut the chatter, to be quiet and listen as he tells us that in spite of our misdeeds and omissions, that he loves us.

We should stop trying to find reasons to avoid him; we should stop trying to prove ourselves worthy while wallowing in the self-pity of loneliness, sickness, economic standing, or any of the other tired excuses.

In spite of all of that, be quiet and come, take, give thanks, break, and eat as Jesus has said, and he is with us.

This is what binds us together into one body.

We are enabled to act in love because we have been loved.

It is our common participation in the gift of Christ Jesus and our continuing need for him that brings us together here today.

The emphasis as we do so is not on us and our attempts at self-justification.

After all, the answer to the question the disciples ask “Is it I, Lord?” is YES!

Yes, we are the ones who have messed things so badly.

Meanwhile, Jesus is: the one

--the one of whom the prophets spoke

--the one for whom all creation is made,

--the one by whom we sinners are justified

--the one who washes us, and not just our feet,

--the one in whom is our hope for God's final future,

--the one through whom is our confidence that we can have joy even in the intensity of the events of this day

--and the one with whom we are made one body of praise now and ever.

Hear the best news: come, take, give thanks, break, share,...and live. Amen.

Please note: The preceding sermon is provided as a resource for the thought, prayer, and meditation of the members and friends of St. Mark's. It is the residue of a verbal event, and thus it does not have academic footnotes and other details that would be expected in a written document. The writer gladly acknowledges the prior thought and work of many Christians before him.