Focus

Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time.

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Read

John 13:1-17 (NRSV)

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

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Reflect

Have you have had your feet washed by another person? Once, when I was a counselor at church camp, one of the younger leaders, pulled me and two other female counselors aside. Inviting us to join her in a cabin, she explained that she had gained so much from us that week and she wanted to thank us. She continued to explain that she could not think of a gift or even words that would truly express her gratitude. She went on to say that the only thing that could adequately express her appreciation in this rustic camp setting was to wash our feet.

As she humbled herself before us, washing our feet with cold water from the sink and a pitcher borrowed from the mess hall, I was humbled. As the cold water rushed over our feet, tears washed from our eyes.

There is something powerful about having someone wash your feet, the intimacy of the moment, the vulnerability of the interaction, the servanthood of the situation. There can be great power in simple motions. Small acts of gratitude can stick with a person for decades. Even small ways of saying thank you can change the world of another. Whom can you serve today?

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Pray

Servant God, you sent the greatest gift, the gift of your son to be a servant among us. Help us to be your servants in the world. Show us those who are in need of your grace and your love. Open our eyes to the world that is hurting and in need so that we may be your servants and share your love. Amen.

Go with God.