One Last Meal

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.  John 13:1

It is Thursday of the week of the Passover and Jesus has been doing some important things, getting ready for His last moments on earth.  This week has been intense for Him.  He knows what is coming and He was probably a lot more serious and focused this last week of His life.  Today is the first day of the Passover and Jesus wants to have one last meal with the disciples.  He sends them into Jerusalem to prepare the meal to celebrate Passover together. 

As they sat and dined together, Jesus rose from the table and began to wash their feet.  The job of a slave.  Peter particularly didn’t want Jesus to wash his dirty feet.  I am sure he felt that Jesus was far too worthy and he was way too unworthy to have the King of Kings touch his dirty feet.  I know I would feel the same way.  But Jesus told Peter that unless he let Jesus wash his feet, that he couldn’t be a part of His work.  Jesus was setting an example for them.  He instructed them to wash each other’s feet just as He has washed their feet.  He served those who serve Him.  This is the lesson of the least shall be the greatest and the greatest shall be the least.  And Jesus wasn’t just setting an example, He was telling them to be humble and serve one another.  This is how He expected them to treat each other after He left. 

After He washed their feet, Jesus explained to them that one of them would betray Him soon.  They were all in a stir, each one positive that there is nothing that would ever make them betray their Lord.  Jesus proceeded to tell them that the one who betrays Him will face serious consequences.  They were consumed with trying to figure out which one of them Jesus was talking about.  Jesus revealed that it was Judas, whose feet He had just washed in humble service. 

Scripture to Claim:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  John13:34-35