Lent Guide: Foot-washing love
During the season of Lent, each week we will publish a devotional on our blog. These devotionals will build off the Sunday sermons and will include Scripture readings, reflections, and prayer practices to guide you through Lent.
People often choose to engage in the spiritual practice of fasting during Lent. Check out this invitation into fasting for our church.
WEEK 1
READING: John 13:1-7
SERMON: Love to the End
REFLECTION: Jesus washing his disciples’ feet is a profound, self-emptying act of love. After the footwashing, he commands them to do the same. The truth is all followers of Jesus are called to a foot-washing-type love.
The description of the foot washing shows us how to cultivate this type of love in our lives. This passage includes five action words describing the foot-washing scene that I think are packed with meaning:
“…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…”
Consider each of these actions.
Got up – Are we willing to be disrupted? Are we willing to “get up” from our work and busy schedule and move toward people in love?
Took off – Other translations say “laid aside”. The Greek used for Jesus’s “laying aside” his outer robe is the same Jesus used when speaking of himself as the Good Shepherd who “lays down” his life for his flock. Jesus is showing His disciples that He will willingly lay down His entire life for them and for all of us. What does it look like for you to lay aside your preferences or opinions for the sake of someone else?
Wrapped a towel – When Jesus wrapped a towel around His waist, He was taking up the tools of the trade of a servant. In Philippians 2, Paul reminds us that this wasn’t a one-time thing — Jesus took “the very nature of a servant.” What does it look like for you to serve others, especially those who cannot return the favor?
Poured water – When I read that Jesus poured water, I am reminded again of the Christ Hymn in Philippians 2. Verse 7 says Jesus “emptied Himself.” In taking on flesh, in healing others, in serving others, Jesus was pouring Himself out. How can we “pour out” our time, talent and treasure for the sake of others?
Began to wash – After pouring the water, Jesus began to wash His disciples’ dusty feet. He isn’t afraid of getting His hands a little dirty. This is a picture of Jesus’ entire ministry. Jesus isn’t above all the messiness and brokenness of our world. He isn’t distant. He is right in the middle of it all. Jesus is dirtied so we can be cleansed forever. May we never be afraid of the mess.
QUOTE: Theologian Kosuke Koyama imagined Jesus says this to those who see him upon death: “You’ve had a difficult journey. You must be tired, and dirty. Let me wash your feet. The banquet’s ready.”
PRACTICE: This week, spend some time meditating on Jesus’ compassionate, foot-washing love for you. Read the text slowly and imagine Jesus washing your feet. What emotions and thoughts rise to the surface? Out of your belovedness, what is one concrete act of love that you could do this week?
MORE READING: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11
People often choose to engage in the spiritual practice of fasting during Lent. Check out this invitation into fasting for our church.
WEEK 1
READING: John 13:1-7
SERMON: Love to the End
REFLECTION: Jesus washing his disciples’ feet is a profound, self-emptying act of love. After the footwashing, he commands them to do the same. The truth is all followers of Jesus are called to a foot-washing-type love.
The description of the foot washing shows us how to cultivate this type of love in our lives. This passage includes five action words describing the foot-washing scene that I think are packed with meaning:
“…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…”
Consider each of these actions.
Got up – Are we willing to be disrupted? Are we willing to “get up” from our work and busy schedule and move toward people in love?
Took off – Other translations say “laid aside”. The Greek used for Jesus’s “laying aside” his outer robe is the same Jesus used when speaking of himself as the Good Shepherd who “lays down” his life for his flock. Jesus is showing His disciples that He will willingly lay down His entire life for them and for all of us. What does it look like for you to lay aside your preferences or opinions for the sake of someone else?
Wrapped a towel – When Jesus wrapped a towel around His waist, He was taking up the tools of the trade of a servant. In Philippians 2, Paul reminds us that this wasn’t a one-time thing — Jesus took “the very nature of a servant.” What does it look like for you to serve others, especially those who cannot return the favor?
Poured water – When I read that Jesus poured water, I am reminded again of the Christ Hymn in Philippians 2. Verse 7 says Jesus “emptied Himself.” In taking on flesh, in healing others, in serving others, Jesus was pouring Himself out. How can we “pour out” our time, talent and treasure for the sake of others?
Began to wash – After pouring the water, Jesus began to wash His disciples’ dusty feet. He isn’t afraid of getting His hands a little dirty. This is a picture of Jesus’ entire ministry. Jesus isn’t above all the messiness and brokenness of our world. He isn’t distant. He is right in the middle of it all. Jesus is dirtied so we can be cleansed forever. May we never be afraid of the mess.
QUOTE: Theologian Kosuke Koyama imagined Jesus says this to those who see him upon death: “You’ve had a difficult journey. You must be tired, and dirty. Let me wash your feet. The banquet’s ready.”
PRACTICE: This week, spend some time meditating on Jesus’ compassionate, foot-washing love for you. Read the text slowly and imagine Jesus washing your feet. What emotions and thoughts rise to the surface? Out of your belovedness, what is one concrete act of love that you could do this week?
MORE READING: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11
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