It was near the end of Jesus’ time, as He set his face like flint to go to Jerusalem, His cross, His Passion, that Jesus impressed on His tiny band of followers perhaps the most important lesson they needed to learn…
Slowly read and reflect on what follows.
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It was just before the Passover Festival.Jesus knew that the hour had comefor 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 Godand 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.”
John 13:1-15 NIV
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ImagineYou are havinga meal with Jesus and your best friends.Suddenly, Jesus gets up from the table and begins to pour warm water into a large basin — something you’ve never seen Him do before.
Jesus is standing in front of you offering to wash your feet — symbolic of the most soiled parts of youWhat goesthrough your mind as Jesus washesand driesyour feet?
Hear Jesus, “You don’t understand now why I am doing it; someday you will.”
ActionReflect on those things that you need to let go of – to make available for Jesus to wash away and forgive.
Ask JesusWhat is it in me that’s holding me back?How do I let You in to wash these most private of wounds?
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