THANKFUL

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Lord, Your grace is remarkable. On that Thursday night when You celebrated the Passover with Your beloved disciples, the example You set for serving one another is beyond gracious.  John’s Gospel chapter 13 describes how after what we call today the “Last Supper,” You washed each disciple’s feet. But, what irony. 

How Your heart must have been overjoyed, as You washed Your beloved disciples’ feet. Yes, You were fully aware that these same feet would within a few hours desert You in fear, fleeing for their lives when You were arrested. But You were also fully aware these same feet would one day carry the Gospel around the world, to proclaim the Good News of Salvation through Your sacrifice on the cross, and forever change the world.

You were fully aware of Judas plot to betray You to those who would nail You to a cross, You tenderly washed his feet, the feet that would soon leave to meet with the religious leaders who hated You. You washed the feet that would lead a contingent of soldiers to arrest You in Gethsemane. You washed the feet that followed the mob to the high priest’s home for Your unlawful trial. You washed the feet that stood in the Roman praetorium when You were condemned.  You washed the feet that ran swiftly back to the Temple to throw down the 30 pieces of silver in remorse. You washed the feet that would sadly turn away, rejecting repentance and forgiveness. How Your heart must have been broken as You washed the feet that would within hours hang lifeless after willingly walking into a godless eternity. 

Lord, create in me a servant’s heart, that loves as You love. As Isaiah described the beauty of the message of salvation, use my feet to carry Your Gospel of Grace and Love, redemption from sins to those around me to change my world. Amen. (Isaiah 52:7)