Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
Scripture – He (Jesus) got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel He had around Him… After washing their feet, He put on His robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you… So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” (John 13:4-5, 12-15, 34)
Maundy Thursday. It’s a strange name for the day when the disciples had their last evening with Jesus – the day before He was arrested, beaten, and crucified. The word “maundy” comes from the Latin word “command” or “mandate.” It was on this day that Jesus commanded His disciples not to fight with Him to the death but to love one another as He had loved them. His command would lead them to a whole new way of living filled with love, unity, and forgiveness.
Prior to speaking these words, Jesus knelt down to wash His disciples’ feet, a model of love for the disciples that they were not expecting. For the sandal-wearing disciples, foot washing was a common practice, but washing the dirt from another person’s feet was something else altogether. It was a task reserved for the lowest-ranking servants. In a household without slaves, everyone was expected to wash their own feet. And yet, Jesus willingly dropped to His knees to wash the feet of His disciples, who were probably shocked and even embarrassed by Jesus’ act of humility and service.
The love Jesus wanted His disciples to have for one another was radical. That is why He felt the need to command them to love each other. In fact, Jesus said this type of love would be the sign that a person was truly His disciple. More than being known for its correct theology, great music, phenomenal preaching, or online platform, the church should be known as a community where love is felt by everyone.
Prayer: Lord, on this Maundy Thursday, help us embody the love You showed in service and sacrifice. As we grow closer to You, help us grow closer to one another, all the while with kindness and compassion in our hearts. Guide us to follow Your example, and may our love reflect Your own across this world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Followup Activity: In your journal or on a piece of paper, make a list of 3-5 people you find difficult to love. Then, beside each name, write a simple way you could show them love today. From your list, choose one person to whom you can show kindness today. If you are leading your family through this devotion, guide each family member to complete the same exercise.
*Photo courtesy of Agustin Fernandez
**This devotion is a part of RENEWED, a Holy Week Devotional from Celebration Church in New Orleans. This 8-Day Devotional is available for free download at http://www.celebrationchurch.org/library
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