IF I DIE TOMORROW
April 1st, 2021
The story of Maundy Thursday changed my life. I don’t mean that in the same way as someone who might say, “this cup of coffee is to die for!” or “that lemon meringue pie changed my life.” No. I mean it literally. As Christians we believe that when we receive Christ our old self dies with Christ because of what was done on the cross and a new life begins. The Maundy Thursday narrative is what finally clicked and inspired me to receive new life. The story of what Jesus did in that upper room, changed my life forever.
“He got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13:4-5)
What kind of leader is so humble as to bend low and wash his followers’ feet? The same one who rode into Jerusalem on a donkey rather than a camel or a horse. He’s the one who didn’t stop giving, serving—sacrificing, until the day he died. Actually, on his final full day of life, knowing that his next day would be his last, on that day, he washed his disciples’ feet.
What would you do if you knew you were going to die tomorrow? Would it look anything like what Jesus did? I understand if it wouldn’t. As much as we try to be like Jesus, or no matter how many times we ask “WWJD?” we often humiliate ourselves more often than we humble ourselves.
That’s one of the reasons why this humble king is so compelling. Even imitations of Christ are captivating. That’s probably why I was so gripped when my confirmation leader washed my feet in an upper room at the end of winter 2008. I was on a confirmation retreat, of course, and after weeks of studying Methodist history, theology, and whatever else we were taught, I don’t remember anything from confirmation except what happened in that upper room, but that night I made the decision to follow Jesus.
I still don’t know if I’d follow Jesus to the cross. But that’s what we’re on our way towards. I’d like to think I would, but on that night after Jesus washed their feet, the disciples fled. If they fled, maybe I would too. That night Peter denied his Lord, and by morning, he had painted his own picture, as the most famous apostate of all time.
It makes me wonder, if I was like Jesus—if I knew I was going to die, what would I do? Would I still wash my friends’ foot if I knew he was about to betray me? Would I stand my ground if I knew the grim reaper was on the way to my door?
Even if I knew it’d save everyone I loved most, I’m not sure I could stand my ground. I hope I would. But even if I did I’m not so certain I’d spend that time washing feet, nor doing any contextual equivalent. Knowing myself, if I knew I was going to die tomorrow, I’d probably want to party and cry and laugh and eat really good food and maybe go somewhere more exciting than an upper room.
Yet Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. That’s how the most humble king prepared to die.
What would you do if you knew you were going to die tomorrow?
