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A journey through Lent - 2016
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Day Thirty Eight - The Washing.
In this wonderful act, the washing of the disciples feet, Jesus reveals the deep and humble nature of divine love.
For love is not only a physical action but it is a deep and enduring feature of who Jesus is and therefore of who we are.
In this simple act Jesus removes any limits to how we can show our love. We are able to demonstrate deep and enduring love to all of those we meet. Those we know and love easily and the strangers where our love is an act of trust and obedience.
This knowledge that limits to our love have been removed means we need not fear lacking the capacity or energy to show that love to the whole world.
We learn that we cannot be judgemental, that our love is not constrained by our own views on who is or is not worthy of our love.
When we turn to Jesus, we find a freedom to serve others. Jesus served the disciples in this unexpected way because of his love. This love would also bring him to the cross.
He shows us, how to demonstrate, humble, self sacrificing love so that we may be radical in the love we show as we serve others.
Bible Passage: - John 13:1-15 (NIV)
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
Jesus answered, "Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Contemplation Saying.
"...you also ought to wash one another's feet."
Contemplative Prayer.
Think of the saying in order to understand context and meaning,
Feel the meaning of the saying with and in your heart,
Pray, using the saying, for yourself or others. With only a name and without explaining the reasons or pre-defining any answers.
Listen for God's voice in the quiet of your prayers.
Pray using your own prayers or one of those which have been prepared below.
Hymn: Singing the Faith - "Brother, Sister let me serve you."
Let us pray together.
Twitter Prayer
Lord, wash my feet, so that I may be made ready for humble, obedient service in your name. Amen
Facebook Prayer
Lord, tell me that I am clean.
Washed in the pure cascades of your love.
Prepare me for all you want me to do.
Made ready by your glorious example to me.
Let me wash others feet, as you washed your disciples.
Let me be humble in my service for you.
Let your love fill me to overflowing and soak those around me.
Give me the skills I need to help others in your name.
Healing, refreshing, cleansing in my soul.
Understanding, listening, comforting in my heart.
Wisdom, understanding, compassion in my words.
Gentleness, tenderness, love in my actions.
Remind me that all I do, I do for you.
All I achieve, I achieve in the power of your name.
May my life be poured out in your service.
The servant of the servants. Amen.
Full Prayer
Lord, so often we forget the grace that you have shown to us.
We limit the things we ask for or try to achieve forgetting that you are with us and have removed the limits to our love.
Help us to allow our love for others to flow out from us like streams of living water.
Let our actions take people by surprise as we act other than the world expects.
We place our love into your hands, to be used for your glory. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Lord, tell me that I am clean.
Washed in the pure cascades of your love.
Prepare me for all you want me to do.
Made ready by your glorious example to me.
Let me wash others feet, as you washed your disciples.
Let me be humble in my service for you.
Let your love fill me to overflowing and soak those around me.
Give me the skills I need to help others in your name.
Healing, refreshing, cleansing in my soul.
Understanding, listening, comforting in my heart.
Wisdom, understanding, compassion in my words.
Gentleness, tenderness, love in my actions.
Remind me that all I do, I do for you.
All I achieve, I achieve in the power of your name.
May my life be poured out in your service.
The servant of the servants. Amen.