THE MEAL

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THE MEAL

TUESDAY, APRIL 11 READ JOHN 13:1-17

An already long week is about to get longer. Jesus knows the

end is near, and John tells us about his heart. “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”

Imagine what it would be like to share a final meal with someone you

love dearly. What would you say to that person? What would you do with your last moments together? Perhaps you don’t have to imagine. Maybe you already know.

Our story brings us to that exact moment for Jesus and his disciples.

With one last chance to leave a mark on the lives of his friends, Jesus does something unthinkable.

In a task reserved for the lowest slave, he rises after dinner, grabs

a bowl and towel, and begins washing the feet of each friend. Though foot washing was widely practiced in Israel, it is unimaginable that a respected teacher (much less a king!) would find himself in this position.

But ours is no ordinary king.



Just days earlier, Jesus entered his city on the back of a donkey—not

a stallion. He spent years among the unacceptable people of Israel—not princes. He came to serve—not be served.

Ours is an extraordinary king.



Think of the shock each disciple felt as their Rabbi kneels to remove

sandals from their dusty feet. Jesus turns the entire social order of their world on its head. He scrubs away ethnic and economic hierarchy from his kingdom. This is a lesson the disciples never forget.

His display of humility is what marks our kingdom. It’s who we must

be. We do just as Christ did because of what Christ did.

In this meal, Jesus demonstrates the gospel to his friends. He shows

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us the glory of God’s eternal plan. The one who cannot be served by human hands serves the very ones who will betray and desert him.

This week, we take comfort in knowing that our king loves us

perfectly, selflessly, and without end. He loves to the uttermost.

PRAY God, thank you that your love has no limits. Even when my love for you and others is lacking, you love me still. Give me grace this day to live in the reality that I have a king who loves me unconditionally. Help me to love you and my fellow man with a shadow of that love.

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