Jesus’ Hands

On this Maundy Thursday, what does it mean that Jesus, with his carpenter-calloused hands, takes the role of the servant and washes the feet of his friends? So often we focus on the feet, but what if our attention is on the hands instead? Jesus’ hands—the very hands of our God.

Imagine Jesus kneeling in front of you, and you, along with the other disciples, placing your feet in his hands. He looks you in the eye and begins to wash. You glance down and gaze on Jesus’ hands and remember.

These hands were birthed in Bethlehem to carry the promise of God’s salvation. Jesus’ hands felt the flow of the Jordan River in his baptism and belovedness. These holy hands scooped up the little children to bless them and receive them in love. These are Jesus’ hands that, coursing with righteous fury, demanded justice for the oppressed. Jesus’ soothing hands that healed and comforted, revealing the reign of God. Jesus’ powerful hands that stood at death’s doorstep and gestured for Lazarus to come out. Jesus’ hands that broke bread and ushered in a new covenant. Jesus’ hands clasped in prayer: “Not my will but thy will be done.” Jesus’ nail-pierced hands that from the cross revealed the fullness of salvation, taking on sin and death through the power of God’s self-giving love. These are the same hands that folded up death’s garments on Easter and opened up eternity for you, for all. These are Jesus’ hands that washed the feet of his disciples.

Look upon Jesus’ hands that hold you, along with the whole of Christ’s church, as we journey through these Great Three Days. These are God’s hands that carry us from life, through death, to life everlasting.