Maundy Thursday–Washed by the Holy
Peruse: John 13:1-6, 12 (TPT) Jesus Washes Feet
1 Jesus knew that the night before Passover would be his last night on earth before leaving this world to return to the Father’s side. All throughout his time with his disciples, Jesus had demonstrated a deep and tender love for them. And now he longed to show them the full measure of his love. 2 Before their evening meal had begun, the accuser had already planted betrayal into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
3 Now Jesus was fully aware that the Father had placed all things under his control, for he had come from God and was about to go back to be with him. 4 So he got up from the meal and took off his outer robe, and took a towel and wrapped it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ dirty feet and dry them with his towel. 6 But when Jesus got to Simon Peter, he objected and said, “I can’t let you wash my dirty feet—you’re my Lord!”
12 After washing their feet, he put his robe on and returned to his place at the table. “Do you understand what I just did?
Ponder: The disciples are in the Upper Room with Jesus. In the midst of the Passover celebration, Jesus knows he will soon lay down his life to be the sacrificial Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. He deeply loves and accepts His disciples, yet He understand they need a lesson on assuming the proper posture before Father God, as well as the proper attitude about themselves and one another. The enemy is present in their midst; Satan is busy making plans to kill the Holy One and is using Judas as a host. But, Jesus knows the plan of the Father in bringing salvation to the world involves the betrayer, so he turns to the remaining disciples and makes modeling truth to them his focus.
Jesus humbly bends down and washes the dust/filth of the world from the feet of his disciples. Jesus does the same for us. Holiness must wash over every disciple; we are to live separated and distinct from the world. Holiness is only gained from a humble relationship with Jesus. We cannot pursue holiness without Christ. Peter understood the message, but it took awhile. He then wrote about it later in his letter to believers everywhere. “So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy” (1 Peter 1:14-15).
Prayer: Lord, you have washed my soul so the soles of my feet can follow you into a new inheritance of grace and power. May my life reveal the respect I have for your authority and holiness. Help me live my life in a full measure of love for you and for others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.