Lenten Devotional - Week Six

Music and Art

Play the audio file and click on the image to enlarge it.

As you listen to the music and reflect on the painting, ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind to God's leading today.

Scripture

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.

John 13:1-17 (NIV)

Poetry

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8 (NIV)

Devotional

Jesus is Humble by Kay Warheit

In John 13, we read that after Jesus and His Disciples had shared the sacred Passover Seder, Jesus “got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. He poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet,” dirty feet in open sandals that had walked through dusty or muddy streets alongside Jesus. 

Jesus knelt before those whom He loved and who loved Him. And He humbly washed the feet of Judas, whom He loved but who was about to betray Him. To think that our Lord and King knelt before his friends and his enemy to wash their feet is beyond our comprehension. 

Afterward, Jesus asked His Disciples, "Do you understand what I have done for you?... “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” What then is required of us? To humble ourselves before Jesus allowing Him to wash the sin from our lives; to humble ourselves by serving those around us who might not deserve it. In Micah, we read: "to love mercy and to walk humbly” just as Jesus humbly served. 

Reflect

1. Peter did not initially comprehend what Jesus was showing them nor did he hear his pride in telling Jesus,” You shall never wash my feet”. Pause to answer Jesus’ question in John 13:12,” Do you understand what I have done for you?” Is there an area of pride in your life where you need to humble yourself and ask for forgiveness? Allow Him to wash your guilt and sin during this season of Lent. 

2. Is there someone or people in your life who need your mercy? Say their name(s) out loud to Jesus and ask Him how you can humble yourself and show mercy. It might take time but Jesus will show you when and how.