DAY 91 - WASH THEIR FEET
KEATON TUCKER, YA GROUPS TEAM LEAD
“During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, that he had come from God and was going back to God, he rose from the table and began to wash the disciples feet.” John 13:1-5
I wonder what it is like to be sitting around a table with your closest and dearest friends, sharing a meal together, laughing, drinking, and celebrating knowing God has given you all authority over all things.
All authority. Over all things. Everything in your own hands.
This is where Jesus found himself the night before he died. “He knew the Father had given all things into his hands.”
What do you do with that kind of power?
What do you do with that kind of power when you know one of your best friends is about to betray you to your death?
Jesus could have stopped the whole thing.
Instead, he gets up from the table, and he stoops, and he begins to wash the disciples feet.
He begins with one. It’s a slow, smelly, dirty process. He gets to Peter, who is the only one willing to say no. Of course Peter would be the one do say no.
Then he comes Judas. He looks in him in the eye, stoops down, and begins to wash his feet clean. Jesus knows what is about to happen. He is in distress about it all. He could stop it, he could say something. But he doesn’t. Instead, the man with all the power of God given to him, lowers himself below his betrayer and washes him clean.
Ultimate mercy.
Astounding grace.
Trust in God to deliver him from what is to come.
Humility to the point of death, even death on a cross.
If you’ve ever been betrayed, you know how painful it is. You can feel the emotional pain in your body… it hurts.
If you’ve ever been gossiped about...
If you’ve ever been lied to, manipulated, or slandered... wash their feet.
Jesus said at the end of this passage “I have given you an example.”
In one of the most painful moments of his life, Jesus left us an example of what to do in some of our most painful moments in life: wash the feet of those who caused the pain.
The most natural reaction in painful moments is to seek to avenge yourself, to retaliate, or to seek justice, especially when it is in your power to do so.
Don’t fall into the trap of redemptive violence.
Just stoop.
In the stooping you have denied yourself, taken up your cross, and followed Jesus.
Wash their feet.
May grace and peace be with you.