A Daily Devotion for Thursday, March 19
- ontrakk
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
John 13:1-17
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for 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 God and 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. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
James 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”
Pride can be a subtle, devilish thing. I am afraid it is something I am not always aware of in myself, because I very carefully and automatically hide it. One reason I know it is in me is that I have a particular aversion to it in others. And now and then I get a glimpse of it in myself. I will keep my heart open to the nudging of the Holy Spirit, and do my best to rid myself of pride. I am absolutely no better than any other of God’s children.
Holy Lord, I am so thankful for your grace, and your many blessings. You have made me unique, with some relative talents and some clear shortcomings. But I am no ‘better’ than any other. Help me to see when I am being harsh or critical of another’s choices. Help me to offer a hand and not criticize. Amen
Becky, transforming
John 13:1-17 James 4:6. A Lesson in Humility
Although Jesus offers lesson from the cross, this last lesson in humility is one of the most powerful. You can talk about being humble and try to teach it, but as any teacher will tell you, to see this most humble of acts, the washing of the disciples feet--even Judas, tells us all we need to know about how to serve like Jesus. The words care, welcome and resect come to mind.
Prayer: Gracious God, In all I do in your name, may I always remember this important lesson in humility. AMEN
John 13:1-17, James 4:6
Put aside my pride, don’t think I am better than others, serve. Sometimes I am better at this than other times. I am no better than any other around me. Jesus shows us that serving is loving and that service is not above anyone. Jesus’s charge: “ If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet”.
Jesus set the example of humble not boastful service. I need to be better about looking for ways to serve, not necessarily grand or publicly visible but small ways that might make a difference…no act of love or service is too small.
Dear God, please help me to be kind…
John 13:1-17/James 4:6
During the late 80s/early 90s, at the height of the men’s ministry called “Promisekeepers,” the concept of servant leadership was at the forefront. One still occasionally hears this preached, but not nearly as often as back then. Fads come and go, but Jesus’ teachings as we read them in Scripture do not. This dramatic episode during the Last Supper is unequivocal in its lesson. It is a prominent feature of Lenten study, but is a lifestyle lesson to be observed and practiced year round, particularly by those in leadership positions. My propensity to pride is a reason I read the Litany of Humility every morning. This is not some magic talisman, however. I still need to work…