“A Night That They Will Never Forget”


BIBLE READING: John 13
                They had participated in Passover their entire life.  Ever since they were young boys, they could recall the events that took place with their families as they recounted the events of the Passover Meal in Exodus 13.  Little did they know that this Passover meal would be one that they would carry with them the rest of their lives.  What made it so different you might ask; well for starters this would be the last Passover they would get to share with Jesus.  As they began that evening, they could tell that something was different about Jesus.  It was obvious that He had a lot on His mind; in just a few hours He would be arrested in the Garden and carried away to be crucified.  There was so much that Jesus wanted to tell them before his hour arrived. Yet, what He did may have been the image that was burned within their minds.  After supper, Jesus stood up, took off His outer garments, girded Himself with a towel and began to pour water in basin. He then knelt and began to wash the disciple’s feet.  Now just to note, foot washing was something that they were very accustomed to in the ancient world.  Typically, when you were invited into the house of someone, you would remove your sandals and one of their servants would come to wash your feet.  However, what made this so unique to their situation was this time it wasn’t your typical servant; this was the Creator of the Universe who was washing your feet.  Jesus continued washing feet until He had washed every one of His follower’s feet.  We only have recorded the intimate moments of this act of service with Peter, but every one of the disciples got a few moments of Christ’s undivided attention; including Judas.   Upon completion of His task, Jesus resumed His place and said,
“Do you understand what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”                                                                                                                                                  (John 13.12-15).

After all the events of the cross, the resurrection and the ascension, the rest of the disciple’s lives were lived out in a life of service to the Cross.  I bet every day, for the rest of their lives…when they looked at their feet, they remembered Jesus.  When they heard water being poured into a basin, they remembered Jesus.  When they began to grow tired of serving, they remembered the example of Jesus.  I know that every moment they spent with Jesus was memorable, but this one…was special…this one taught them a very important lesson…this one changed their lives!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Colors of Christmas: Green

  Discussion:                                    Evergreen plants, like holly and mistletoe have been used for thousands of years to decorate and brighten up buildings during the long dark winter. They also reminded people that spring would come and winter wouldn't last forever! The Romans would exchange evergreen branches during January as a sign of good luck. The ancient Egyptians used to bring palm branches into their houses during the mid-winter festivals. In many parts of Europe during the Middle Ages, “paradise plays” were performed, often on Christmas Eve. They told Bible stories to people who couldn't read. “The Paradise Tree” in the Garden of Eden in the play was normally a pine tree with red apples tied to it. Today, think about the newness of life we have because we are in Christ. The old man could represent the dark winter and the barren trees. Then think of the bright Christmas trees that are so easily seen! … Help brighten someone’s life this week! Inform
Read more

“Blow-out in Boston”

BIBLE READING: Luke 14 DISCUSSION                                                                                       Boston Globe's account in June 1990 of a most unusual wedding banquet… Accompanied by her fiancé, a woman went to the Hyatt Hotel in downtown Boston and ordered the meal. The two of them poured over the menu, made selections of china and silver, and pointed to pictures of the flower arrangements they liked. They both had expensive taste, and the bill came to $13,000. After leaving a check for half that amount as down payment, the couple went home to flip through books of wedding announcements. The day the announcements were supposed to hit the mailbox, the groom got cold feet. "I'm just not sure," he said. "It's a big commitment. Let's think about this a little longer." When his angry fiancé returned to the Hyatt to cancel the banquet, the manager could not have been more understanding. However, concerning the refund, she h
Read more

“Is there Joy in your Heart?”

  DISCUSSION:                              There are so many things going on in this world today that it is easy to let worry have more room in our heart than happiness. In the medical world, we are constantly being reminded of the preventive medicine we need. Unlike 60 years ago when health only entered our minds when we got sick, today we are told continually of so much that can happen to our health if we don’t have this test run, take this pill, or get this shot to prevent some type of virus infecting us. If you allow it, you can give this too much attention. Of course, it is important to have good health. As we get older it really seems to get a lot more of our attention. Don’t let worry about your health take your eyes off the cross. The words of God given wisdom from Solomon in Proverbs 4, we see that a physically healthy heart is important, but to keep focused on good things to keep our spiritual heart clean and healthy. There is no medical test in place to make sure we are
Read more