Lent Devotional Day 30

Day 30
Thursday, March 23

John 13:1-20

13 Before the Festival of Passover, Jesus knew that his time had come to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them fully.

2 Jesus and his disciples were sharing the evening meal. The devil had already provoked Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew the Father had given everything into his hands and that he had come from God and was returning to God. 4 So he got up from the table and took off his robes. Picking up a linen towel, he tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he was wearing. 6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand what I’m doing now, but you will understand later.”
8 “No!” Peter said. “You will never wash my feet!”
Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t have a place with me.”
9 Simon Peter said, “Lord, not only my feet but also my hands and my head!”
10 Jesus responded, “Those who have bathed need only to have their feet washed, because they are completely clean. You disciples are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 He knew who would betray him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you is clean.”

12 After he washed the disciples’ feet, he put on his robes and returned to his place at the table. He said to them, “Do you know what I’ve done for you? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you speak correctly, because I am. 14 If I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you too must wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do. 16 I assure you, servants aren’t greater than their master, nor are those who are sent greater than the one who sent them. 17 Since you know these things, you will be happy if you do them. 18 I’m not speaking about all of you. I know those whom I’ve chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture, The one who eats my bread has turned against me.[a]

19 “I’m telling you this now, before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I Am. 20 I assure you that whoever receives someone I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

Reflection
It is almost breathtaking to imagine this scene, isn’t it? A final supper, known only to Jesus in its true finality, in this earthly body. His last moments with His people, His tribe, several of whom he also knew were going to betray him in ways that were life costing, and still.

He washed their feet.
There seems to be some debate out about whether or not Jesus actually washed the feet of Judas in this setting, yet I don’t even know if that particular detail is relevant to the story. We know that Jesus loved – wholly, fully, unconditionally.

He washed their feet – literally or metaphorically or both.
So, this brings to mind a question. In acting as disciples, how can we reach those on the margins? How can we, in 2023, wash their feet? How do we let others know that they have a place with us in all the ways that Jesus lets us know we have a place with Him?

For myself, I see this magic in so many unexpected ways and it often starts or ends with words that sound a lot like: “Me, too.” To the fellow addict and alcoholic trying to stay sober one more day, who can barely look at themselves in the mirror as they contemplate the wreckage of their past, I whisper “Me, too.” I might also add then “You can hold your head up now. You are a wonder.”

To the mom who posts the most beautiful pictures on social media and then I walk in on her crying in the bathroom silently, hands pressed to her temple. She fears maybe she is not enough, are her kids OK, is she ok? And I whisper “Me, too.” And then I might remind her, and myself “You are fearfully and wonderfully made.”

To the many heartbroken people I know who wonder endlessly, are they accepted into God’s Kingdom exactly as they are? Who have heard words and seen deeds that might cause their precious souls to even think for one second that they are not welcome because of who they love or who they are? First, yes. You are welcome. Come let me wash your feet. Then, “Me, too.” We have all struggled with doubt and questioned. The questions bring us closer if we let them, closer to the truth and to our own knowing. I say this with full confidence, even if I have not met you yet – “Me, too.” For we are all connected.

Loved and chosen, as Anne Lamott says in her Sunday school classes. In this way, we become those who wash feet. What a sacred and holy task we have been given. Some may even call this a privilege. From this space of worth and connectedness leaves bloom for the love of Christ in every way.

Prayer
May our feet always find our own upper rooms, leading us ever closer to our highest selves and to one another. I hope to meet you there. Amen.

By Lisa Silverman