On this Maundy Thursday, I share with you a piece I wrote for a young lady to perform live some years ago at East Troy Bible Church; it was later tweaked into the form it takes today.
Things have not been the same since He was here. I haven't been the same.
It was just before Passover and the house of my master was in an uproar. We had many extra duties that day because of the feast that was coming. There had been much bickering between we servants over who had to do the most work. My best friend Rachel had asked me to help her finish her tasks, but I just couldn't tire myself out any further, even for her.
And then there was my mistress. She was especially in a dither over a special guest who would be here. The "Teacher" they called him.
I already knew who he was. I'd even seen him. I'd been out earlier in the week doing some errands for my mistress and there was such a commotion in town that I pushed my way through the crowd to see what was happening.
People had cut down palm branches and were waving them in the air, shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel!" I think they were talking about a man I saw riding a young donkey. At least I didn't see anyone else. But was he a king? They kept waving and waving, and even laying down their cloaks to make way, so I guess they meant him, but I was confused.
On my way back home I heard some people saying he'd healed a blind man, and even raised someone from the dead! Someone told me he'd claimed to be our Messiah, but I just didn't know what to believe. And what could I know anyway, a lowly servant girl.
The time for the big dinner came at last. Though I was supposed to be tending to my duties in another part of the house, I peered through the crack in the dining room door. I just had to see this man again. There was something about him I had to know. I was hoping my mistress wouldn't catch me and send me away.
They had just begun to serve the meal. Someone was remiss in their duties! They had neglected to do the footwashing! How I hoped my mistress wouldn't find this out, for she would be so angry and embarrassed about the oversight that she very well might punish us all!
Well, I couldn't believe my eyes! He, the one they called the "Teacher", the one I had seen on the donkey, our special guest - he got up. He took off his outer clothing and wrapped a towel around his waist. Pouring some water into a basin, he began to wash his friends’ feet. Everyone was astounded!
When the honored guest got to Peter it appeared that Peter tried to object, as he vigorously shook his head. But, his feet were washed anyway, with such gentleness, such love and care. I had never heard of a person of such importance stooping down to do the work of a servant, and to do it in such a way.
As he finished, he turned and fixed his gaze on me, with those eyes so full of compassion. You know, I believe he would have washed my feet!
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