Maundy Thursday Spoken Word

Performance art is the embodiment
of an idea so that other people might embody it

Does that mean that Jesus is the ultimate performance artist?
His entire life was built around the idea of teaching people the ways of God
But as much as his words are quoted and recited
There is just as much about his actions and what they ignited
When Jesus gathered with his closest friends to celebrate the Passover
He had a lot to say
I am giving you
A new
Commandment
Just as I have loved you, you should love one another.
But of course, as with any good performance artist, mere words were not enough
Because on that same night
Jesus took wine and a bread loaf
And he turned his words
Into something people could see and touch and smell and taste
And then Jesus’ performance art entered the next movement.
In a shocking moment of humility, he moved
From the table and took a towel and bowl
And took up the role
of a servant.

Jesus never said it,
but actions speak louder than words
This is how you were created to live:
Love, serve, give.
Jesus’ performance art would take on a whole new form the next day
This is my body given for you
This is my blood shed for you
Were embodied on that Good Friday
But whether its teachings in the temple
Or healings on the hillside
Or commandments at a collation
Or a savior’s sacrifice
The message of Jesus, the great performance artist, remains the same:
Religion should teach us to love one another
And that’s why we pour out our life for each other