Loving God of action and involvement; bless the day's activities of this dear reader in ways that bring glory to Thy Name, in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from John 13: 1 Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that the time had come to leave this world to go to the Father. Having loved his dear companions, he continued to love them right to the end. 2 It was suppertime. The Devil by now had Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, firmly in his grip, all set for the betrayal. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God. 4 So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron. 6 When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, "Master, you wash my feet?" 7 Jesus answered, "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later." 8 Peter persisted, "You're not going to wash my feet - ever!" Jesus said, "If I don't wash you, you can't be part of what I'm doing." 9 "Master!" said Peter. "Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!" 10 Jesus said, "If you've had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you're clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you're clean. But not every one of you." 11 (He knew who was betraying him. That's why he said, "Not every one of you.") 12 After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table. 13 You address me as 'Teacher' and 'Master,' and rightly so. That is what I am. 14 So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other's feet. 15 I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do. 16 I'm only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn't give orders to the employer. 17 If you understand what I'm telling you, act like it - and live a blessed life. "Now the Son of Man is seen for who he is, and God seen for who he is in him. The moment God is seen in him, 32 God's glory will be on display. In glorifying him, he himself is glorified - glory all around! 33 "Children, I am with you for only a short time longer. You are going to look high and low for me. But just as I told the Jews, I'm telling you: 'Where I go, you are not able to come.' 34 "Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. 35 This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples - when they see the love you have for each other." (The Message)
It was the third year they had celebrated this special holy meal. Passover was observed by every good Jew and Jesus and His 12 were good Jews. The first two meals had been celebrations of God's acts in their history; God liberating the Jews from slavery in Egypt and allowing them to leave in the Exodus. The meal was important and meaningful to every good Jew. This meal was different in some ways; Jesus took on the role of a common servant and washed the feet of each disciple. This passage only records Peter's objection that Jesus should not be washing his feet. Upon explanation of the why behind it, Peter wants to be completely washed. The other difference was that in this celebration, Jesus reveals that he is going to die and again this is not yet fully understood nor accepted. And the final is a new commandment given to them by Jesus that they love one another. A love so special that others will know they belong to Jesus by the way they demonstrate that love to each other.
How is it with you and your life? Do you live a life that shows a Christ-like love to others? Can people see that you belong to Jesus? Is it the same with the place at which you worship? Does everyone love one another and welcome everyone in loving ways?
PRAYER: Loving God, let it be seen in me and this dear reader praying this as their own, that we belong to You. May our actions, our words and our thoughts be those of love, love from You for us, to share with others. Make this special holy day even more special and holy by the way we love You and Yours. Our prayer is lifted up in the Name of He who gave Himself for us, Jesus the Lord, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
P. S. Today is Maundy Thursday! Find a worship space or church for tonight's celebration of Jesus' Last Supper. They may even tell you what "Maundy" means!
