Maundy Thursday, April 9, 2020
Scripture – John 13: 3-10 (NIV)
3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 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.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10 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.”
Wash Me, Lord
by Lt. Colonel Diane O’Brien
In our western world, we sometimes do not think about the significances of clean feet. But people in the time of Jesus would arrive at a home with their feet dirty from the road, and the lowliest servant would wash the grime off, before it was brought through the home. It must have been welcome feeling for the dusty traveler.
But on the occasion narrated in this passage, it appears that nobody had done it, so Jesus did it himself. It was the lowliest task and the greatest person there, stooped to perform it. As he anticipated the most momentous task of all time, he simply washed the feet of his friends.
The next part of the narrative suggests that Peter was embarrassed that Jesus was doing this for him. But there is no condemnation in the cleansing of Jesus. His washing of us is gracious and more than adequate for any of the earthly grime that we carry.
Healing Waters
Salvation Army Songbook #742
1.
When shall I come unto the healing waters?
Lifting my heart, I cry to Thee my prayer.
Spirit of peace, my comforter and healer,
In whom my springs are found,
Let my soul meet Thee there.
From a hill I know,
Healing waters flow;
O rise, Immanuel’s tide,
And my soul overflow!
2.
Wash from my hands the dust of earthly striving;
Take from my mind the stress of secret fear;
Cleanse Thou the wounds
From all but Thee far hidden,
And when the waters flow let my healing appear.
3.
Light, life and love are in that healing fountain,
All I require to cleanse me and restore;
Flow through my soul, redeem its desert places,
And make a garden there for the Lord I adore.
Albert Orsborn
The Well is Deep
Commissioner Kenneth G. Hodder invites you to join him for worship on Easter Sunday at 7:00pm PDT.
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