Day 5: MAUNDY THURSDAY
Scripture
JOHN 13:1-20
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so 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.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
“I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill this passage of Scripture: ‘He who shared my bread has turned against me.’
“I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”
Devotion
In John 13, we’re met with the familiar, yet deeply countercultural actions of Jesus. In Jewish culture, feet washing was common as the roads were dirt and everyone wore sandals. But who washes the feet? Not the rabbis, that’s for sure! It was considered a demeaning task - one that someone of respect would not do. And yet, Jesus takes off his robe, grabs a towel and water, and kneels before his disciples to wash their feet. There are most likely many reasons why He does this, but what always strikes me about what He does is what it communicates about how we are to view each other. While Jesus was a person of authority and respect, He makes an intentional choice to choose humility and honor, showcasing to his disciples that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and worthy to be served.
As I sit with this story, I find myself thinking that it really mattered to Jesus that His disciples heard and saw Him do this. This passage is one for the final interactions we see Jesus have with His disciples. Last interactions tend to be really important.
It’s typically the time when people say and do what’s really important to them. He doesn’t just tell the disciples how to live their lives - he shows them. Jesus calls his disciples to the way of the cross - this way of living is countercultural and often uncomfortable. It requires that we see people equally and be willing to humble ourselves to serve them. By washing the disciples’ feet, He’s modeling to them the deep importance of seeing people as the father sees them. He is showcasing that the path of humility is what they’re called to. In the Kingdom of God, honor and humility are higher than power and control. If we are disciples called to be like Jesus, that means that we should not only be willing and ready to grab a towel and a bowl, but also kneel before those around us and wash their feet.
Questions for reflection
What parts of yourself do you need to surrender to Jesus in order to walk in humility?
In what ways can you “wash someone’s feet” in your own life?
Prayer
Thank you Lord that you came to serve not be served. Would you empower me by your spirit to have this same attitude today. Would you open my eyes to places I can display your love by serving others. Amen.
written by Julie Ploehn
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Family Devotional
Maundy Thursday: Mark 14:1-9
As you read the passage you can have children draw something that they think is very expensive. After finishing their drawing have the children show what they drew and maybe even estimate a cost. Ask your children some questions about the story: In the story what was the expensive thing that the woman had? What did she do with it? What did some people think about this? What did Jesus say about this?
You can continue: Why did the woman do this? It was her act of worship. Worship is a way of saying thank you God and remembering that He is powerful, loving, and good. Did you know God gave you something expensive to worship Him with? It is your body! You are priceless and He has given you the ability to worship Him by singing, dancing, bowing, drawing, and many other ways.
Put on a worship song and worship together for a song.