Day 10- Jesus Washes the Disciples Feet

With this devotion we have completed 1/4th of our Lenten Journey.  In an age when we expect to have things immediately, a 40 day period of time is actually quite long.  I encourage you to keep up with your daily devotions, trusting that it will be a blessing and provide an opportunity for spiritual growth as we journey with Jesus to the cross.

In today's lesson, Jesus was at an evening meal with his disciples "just before the Passover Feast." (John 13:1)  This is John's account of the last supper, although it is quite different than what is recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.  Most notably, there is no giving of bread and wine in what we now call the Lord's Supper.  Rather, what John emphasizes is the servant Jesus, who washes the feet of his disciples.  He does this as an example for them, "that you should do as I have done for you."  Also at this meal Jesus gives the new commandment to "love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another."  Love and service become the two most important qualities of the Christian life.

From this passage it is abundantly clear that I am loved by God.  The love that Jesus shows for his disciples in washing their feet, is shown in an even  greater way for us, as Jesus willingly goes to the cross for our sins.  On the cross, Christ's blood washes our entire selves "whiter than snow."  (Psalm 51:7)  In our Baptism, our whole selves have been washed clean, dying to sin and rising to new life.

All of this provides the foundation for our love and service.  Because we have been so loved, because we have been so served, we seek to love and serve one another.  Jesus gives us the example.  It's now up to us to follow that example and to love and serve those around us.