Tuesday April 30, 2024

Today is Tuesday, April 30 and we are studying the Gospel of John chapter thirteen.

Lord God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as I begin a new day, I seek your presence. Before the events of today begin I focus myself completely on you. I invite you into the intimacies of my thoughts and feelings. Examine my intentions, guide my motivations, inspire my plans, and accompany my comings and goings. Remind me that you are close by my side every step of the way. Amen.

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. John 13:6-11

On the night he gave himself up for us, Jesus gathered those who were closest to him in the Upper Room. He performed two dynamically simple yet deeply profound gestures – he washed his friends’ feet and he shared a meal with them. As people walked around on dirt paths and shared the road with sheep, goats, donkeys and other animals, foot washing was customary and necessary upon entering a home. It was a menial task reserved for the lowest servants or slaves to perform. Christ, the Son of God, wrapped a towel around his waist, grabbed a bowl of water and knelt down to cleanse the dirty feet of his friends. All of them. Even Judas Iscariot who was about to betray him. He washed their feet and dried them with the towel.

Christ invites us to this Upper Room. We also have been traveling. Navigating our own journeys on the road of life. We might come to his table a little weary, road worn and dusty from our path. Perhaps we have been trying to walk the route God has for us, stay on the straight and narrow road, follow in Christ’s footsteps. Yet despite our best efforts, sometimes we inevitably misstep. We trespass where we should not go. We veer off course and start our own trajectory. We head in the wrong direction. We arrive at the table with feet that are dirty and places that are soiled.

Jesus Christ has never shunned the ugly or dirty parts of life, the stained and muddied parts of our soul, he simply cleanses them away. He does that for us. No matter how long we have been away or where we have been, Christ offers forgiveness, cleansing and renewal. When we give ourselves to Christ to be cleansed of our sin and repaired of our brokenness, we have a new start. A fresh beginning. We are reunited with him and with our brothers and sisters in the faith.

Ask: What parts of my life or myself need Jesus’ cleansing love? What do I need to expose before him that needs to be washed?

Pause and Pray

Loving Lord Jesus, I offer myself completely unto you. Wash me until I am clean, cleanse what is scarlet and make it whiter than snow. Come, examine my heart. Reveal the lingering spots that mar my soul, wash away the stench of sin and the grime of poor intention. Forgive my trespasses, remove my stains, sanctify me in your grace and cleanse me like no one else can. Amen.

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