Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.” For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.” So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
Especially in the midst of our own suffering and turmoils, it can be easy to forget all that Christ did for us. As well as all that He gave up for us. Had He chosen, he could have avoided all the suffering, all the indignities and pain. Instead, he performed the ultimate act of love by giving up His own life for ours and taking on all our sins. He loves us not only in spite of our sins and flaws, but in the midst of them. All He asks in return, especially in this Lenten season, is our love in return. Small price to pay for all He gave us.
CHALLENGE: Take 3 minutes today to reflect on what it means that God would humble Himself so much to wash the dirty feet of His disciples (the same men that Jesus knew would deny knowing him and who were nowhere to be found hours later when he was arrested)
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