Jesus’ mission is love. We do well to remember that his mission is not about power, for us to follow our instincts, or to have our own way. Jesus did not get his own way. He surrenders to the will of God and invites us to follow.

Jesus is the Love of God in flesh. He serves his disciples, washes their feet, and insists they do likewise. Jesus’ ministry does not change the faith of the Hebrew Bible, he insists on it. He holds accountable those who manipulate it for themselves. He pronounces judgment on those who prefer the worship of power, prestige, and ambition even disguised as humility. Such faith is false and doomed to fail. It leads to misery, conflict, and despair.

The Gospel writers remember Jesus interpreting the Seder meal in terms of his own body and blood, broken and poured out for all who come to love him, who find him to be the living mercy of God. The Passover feast of the Hebrew slaves set free became in that moment a celebration of communion to receive and share love, in mercy, in the name of Jesus.

Holy Week is our celebration of the eternal life of Christ, grounded in love. The costly love of mercy. We are the people of Jesus. His command to love opens to us the fullness of life. As we practice it, it becomes who we are. There is no other way to follow Jesus. May we increase and abound in love. Amen.