Today is what some consider Holy Thursday, the night before Jesus died, or rather, willingly gave up His life for this entire world. I’ve been pondering this for a while, as I sat down to type this post. I found myself wondering what He was feeling, what He was thinking, and what was going on in His mind, knowing the horrific death He would soon face. Put yourself in His shoes for a moment. How would you feel and what would you be doing if you knew this was your last night on earth?
Surely, as you read through the Gospels, one can gather a few things that were on His mind. In Matthew’s account, while Jesus and his 12 disciples are sitting at the Passover Meal, He speaks very candidly about one of the disciples who would betray Him (Matthew 26:20-21). Such was the same in Mark’s account (Mark 14:18). Talk about the opening statement of a dinner conversation! Even in Luke’s account, He addresses it later on in the conversation, after perhaps one of my favorite lines of scripture to date:
Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins.”
Luke 22:15
He addresses the same thing in the the Gospel of John, later on in that passage (John 13:21). What is interesting, however, is that in each Gospel account, while Jesus brings up this betrayal, only John’s account addresses this very seemingly odd thing Jesus chooses to do the night before He goes to the Cross–wash feet. Now, I don’t do feet, y’all…well except my own, lol. It’s just not my thing. One could have the prettiest, most beautifully manicured and cleanest feet on earth and I still cringe at the sight or thought of it. I don’t know what it is, but I just can’t do it. I guess if Jesus, the King of kings, who had been given all authority over everything (John 13:3), could wash feet, I could too. That’s the thing though: why would the Son of God, who had come from God and would being returning to Him, and had all authority over everything, be found the night before He died, positioned low to the ground, washing dirty feet? John tells us it’s because He “loved them to the very end” (John 13:1, NLT). Of all the things, He could be doing, Jesus willingly chose to wash the feet of those He had loved during His ministry on earth, even the one who would later deny that he ever knew Him and one who would, in just a few moments betray Him. Let that sink in for a bit.
It was less about the practical task of washing one’s feet, but the example He intended to communicate–that those who may have authority, those who may carry a title of master or servant and even those who may be messengers or the one who sends the message, should all have a heart posture of a humble servant. This was loving to the end. All should do as Jesus–the One who had all authority and was both Teacher and Lord–had done. This was how He loved to the end. He:
…stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!
Philippians 2:7-8, AMPC
He didn’t misuse or abuse His authority. He didn’t throw His weight around, beating His chest, saying” I am King” nor did He demand that others wash His feet, when He very well could have. Instead, in His last days on earth, He loved to the end and demonstrated it by washing feet. As we enter this Resurrection weekend, may you consider the King of Kings, who became the epitome of a humble servant, and was obedient to the point of death on a cross–for you and for me. This is how He loved us to the end.
But before you go…
***Tomorrow is not promised. Today is all we have. If you are reading this and haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as Your Lord and Savior, would you consider doing so right now? Jesus died so He could have a personal relationship with you and so that one day, when you leave this earth, you can spend eternity with Him. You can say a prayer similar to this:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. You showed Your great love for me, while I was in my sinful state, by sending Jesus Christ to die for me. Today, right now, I declare that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. Please enter into my heart, Lord Jesus, forgive me of all of my sins, and seal me with Your Holy Spirit. I choose this day to live for You, all the days of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you said this prayer (or something similar) and you truly meant it, welcome to the family of God! Angels in heaven are rejoicing with you on the best decision you will ever make in life, and so am I! Please send me an email (ladyinwaiting222@gmail.com) or respond to this post so I can celebrate with you!
Genesis 2:22, NLT
Scripture references: The Holy Bible (NLT), AMPC
References: Blueletterbible.org
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Lady In Waiting 222 