Maundy Thursday
Read
It can be so easy to get so distracted in the fixing, that we miss the loving. In the busyness of life and seemingly endless to-do lists, it can be easy to focus so much on what we need to do that we forget to see who we are able to love and serve. Read John 13:1-17 and note Jesus’ disposition towards the disciples.
John 13:1-17
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.
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.
Reflect
Jesus, the Son of God and Redeemer of all mankind, humbled Himself, and washed 12 stinky feet. This was not a task that was expected of Him. He knew this was His final hours with those He loved, and He needed this lesson to stand out—words alone wouldn’t work this time. So, He lowered Himself and wiped away the mess. Re-read John 13:15-17.
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."
- John 13:15-17
Who are people that you serve (or should serve)? Co-Workers or employees? Children? Roommates or a spouse? Friends? Neighbors?
Now read John 13:34-35.
Now read John 13:34-35.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
- John 13:34-35
Serving one another is how we love one another. In fact, Jesus says that is how others will know we are Christians. Do others know you are a Christian, a follower of Jesus?
Too often the ways many people represent Christianity is truly heartbreaking, especially on social media. We have lost our mission to serve and love. We care more about trying to mold those who don’t claim to follow Christ into His image. When, instead, we are called to serve and love, not force others to conform.
How could an approach to serve and love, instead of judge, change the way others might experience Christ?
Too often the ways many people represent Christianity is truly heartbreaking, especially on social media. We have lost our mission to serve and love. We care more about trying to mold those who don’t claim to follow Christ into His image. When, instead, we are called to serve and love, not force others to conform.
How could an approach to serve and love, instead of judge, change the way others might experience Christ?
Respond
Level 1 (designed for children)
How do others recognize you as being a Christ follower? Jesus gave his disciples a clear example of putting others first when he washed their feet. How are you putting others first? Let the towelette serve as a reminder of how Jesus demonstrated his love for others and the importance of putting others needs ahead of our own.
Level 2
Consider again the people you serve. What is one way you could, figuratively speaking, wash their feet this week?
level 3
Make your desire to serve evident by physically washing the feet of someone you love. If you are with your family, take a moment right now to wash their feet with the towelettes in this cache.
