Scripture reading
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 disciple’s feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.
–John 12:3-5
Thought of the Day
We had an awesome youth Bible study last night. We are studying the Gospel of John and we talked about what all happened the last week of Jesus’ life. We read the verses describing the events of that Thursday night when Jesus and the boys celebrated the Passover meal in the Upper Room. We closed our time together with praise music and the washing of hands. Leading up to this, we talked about how Jesus had washed the disciple’s feet and how hard it must have been for them while at the same time what a cleansing moment it was. While Parker led music, the youth came to our altar table and I washed their hands with soap and water and then Sedonia rinsed and dried them. It was most amazing. I told the kids to imagine that they were there so many years ago and that their Messiah, their Jesus was doing the washing. Even though the washer was different the water was the same. It was cool to hold each youth’s hands and gently wash them clean. It was a special and intimate thing to do. I felt a closeness that I imagined that the disciples must have felt with Jesus that night.
Later Sedonia and I were talking and she said something that really touched me. She talked of how it had come to her as we were washing and rinsing hands that our hands were the cleanest. As we cleansed each set of hands, we were cleansed, too. Isn’t that an awesome thought? Each time Jesus cleanses us, He is cleansed, too.
I have a greater understanding now of why Jesus washed the disciple’s feet in that Upper Room a long time ago. He knew that they needed to understand servanthood and needed to be made clean. Guess what? He knows that we need it too. So go and serve. Go and be made clean in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Prayer
Father, Shower me with Your love and make me clean. Amen.