THURSDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Yesterday, I posted information about the last day that Jesus entered the temple in Jerusalem, how He rejected the temple when He left, telling the Jews "Your house is left unto you desolate." His Apostles then asked Him two questions: what is going to happen to the temple that not one stone will be left upon another? What are the signs of Your coming? I wrote the post on Tuesday but was unable to post until yesterday.  I purchased a new computer that is much faster with more storage (which were 2 huge problems with the old one.) So, let's catch up.  

Wednesday the final week of Jesus' life was spent in Bethany among His friends.  His enemies were not resting, however.  Judas Iscariot, one of His called and ordained apostles, was a turncoat.  He went to the temple hierarchy and joined in the growing conspiracy to kill Jesus.  

On Thursday morning, Jesus sent two of His disciples to the city to find a room wherein He and His apostles could have their last supper together.  It was, of course, the season of Passover, so we could say it was the Last Seder as He would fulfill the Law of Moses, beginning that night.  They found what has since been called the upper room. 

They had all of the required foods for the Feast of the Passover.  Jesus used these symbolic foods to illustrate the transition from the Law of Moses and Law of Sacrifice and remembering the Exodus.  He broke and blessed the bread and then blessed the cup containing the wine of the New Testament (Covenant.) 

I discussed this in some detail earlier this week, so I'll say no more here.  Jesus then introduced an ordinance that is not done often: the washing of the feet. The apostle John records in the 13th chapter of his gospel: 

He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.  After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.  Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet.  Jesus answereth him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. (John 13: 4 - 9)

In 1832, Joseph Smith organized what he called The School of the Prophets in order to immerse the brethren, most of them new converts, into the principles and ordinances of the gospel.  Before a man could be admitted to the school, he must submit to the ordinance of washing the feet. (Section 88: 140-141) The ordinance is to be administered by the president of the Church.  They had a prayer and blessed and partook of the Sacrament.  Afterward, Joseph Smith girded himself with a towel as described in John 13, and washed the feet of his brethren.  We do not speak much of this ordinance due to its being extremely sacred. (I believe that it is still administered with other sacred ordinances in the Temple, but don't quote me.)

In the larger Christian world, it is practiced in some faiths on certain occasion.  There is a sect within the Baptist Church that refer to themselves as foot washing Baptist. I have heard of it being practiced in wedding services with the bride and groom taking turns washing one another's feet.  When it is done on the Thursday of Holy Week, the pope of the Catholic Church practice this ritual by washing the feet. This is called the Holy Thursday Mandatum, from which we derive the name: Maundy Thursday.

In the ancient world, washing a visitor's feet was a practice of courtesy and welcome as his feet may dirty from walking in open sandals.  Jesus elevated it to an ordinance.  It is an example of great humility, as if ceremonially washing away the contamination from the evils of the world.  

We also need to humble ourselves and wash away worldly influences that can taint our lives.  We also humble ourselves when we fast and pray.  Tomorrow is a world-wide day of fasting and prayer for the shortening of this pandemic and the blessing of the ill and those who care for them.  I am greatly heartened to see the thousands of positive responses and inspiring stories from people who are not LDS.  Many are not  Christian.  I've even seen a post from an agnostic.  Many people who have been isolated from Jesus  Christ by the world have now been humbled by this epidemic.  I pray that this returning to God lasts beyond the epidemic we are experiencing.  If it does, I see hope for our human race.

© Dr. Kathleen Rawlings Buntin Danielson April 2020