Thursday of Passion Week
This week leads up to Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection. While many people may be familiar with Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday, very few are as familiar with the days in between. Jesus didn’t just sit around and do nothing until He was arrested. So, let’s look at some of the events and teachings of Holy Week.
Scripture Reading – John 13:1-5 (ESV)
1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s on, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’; feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
What would you do if you knew you had only 24 hours to live? Would you spend that time with family or friends, binge your favorite foods, or maybe spend that time alone? We will likely never know when our last day will be, but Jesus did. Today is the last full day of Jesus’ earthly ministry. By three o’clock Friday, He will be dead. How did Jesus spend His last day? He spent it with the disciples, having the Passover meal, teaching, and praying. It was at the beginning of the Passover meal though that Jesus taught one of His greatest lessons. It was a lesson that needed no words just an action.
John tells us that Jesus got up from the table and did something unimaginable, something so shocking that it causes people today to stop and ask why. Jesus takes a towel and a basin of water and begins washing his disciples’ feet. What caused Jesus, the One who created man from the dust of the earth, to wash that same dust off their feet? Pride. It was the pride of the disciples arguing once again who would be the greatest, who would have the honor of sitting at Jesus’ side. Instead of a lecture or a reprimand, Jesus demonstrated what greatness in His kingdom looked like…servanthood.
Our world, whether long ago or now, doesn’t consider servanthood a mark of greatness. It is looked down upon. It’s considered a role for the weak. However, in the Father’s eyes it is seen as the highest form of greatness. James says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Is pride blinding you? Is it keeping you from being the servant Jesus has called you to be? Look to the example of Jesus today and let it guide you to serve those around you.
Heavenly Father, shine Your holy light into our lives right now. May it expose in us any pride that is keeping us from You. Teach us what it means to be humble, to unashamedly serve others in Your name and for Your glory. Amen.