March 29, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in our Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Day 19 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Week Jesus Dies
Read Sections 5.25 through 5.28 (pages 157-160)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
On lent 2023 Day 19
Imagine Jesus washing the feet of the disciples! The feet even of the one who would betray Him! A true servant, a true picture of unconditional love, and an example to us of service and forgiveness and humility!
And then He breaks bread and shares a cup with them in the first communion. Representing the horrible fate in front of Him. The ultimate sacrifice He will make for each of them and each of us. Certainly they were confused but they must have felt something coming. His final act of service on this earth was His death, to pay a penalty He did not owe for us!
For the disciples to worry about who is most important after witnessing such humility from the Son of God shows how easily distracted we are with things important only here on earth. Lord help me to keep sight of Your plan, Your kingdom, and Your purpose for my life!
As Jesus prepares his followers for his departure (“I will be with you only a short time more…), He encourages them (us) to “love each other” and “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me.” We are encouraged by the fact that a room is being prepared for us and that if we have seen Jesus, we have seen the Father.
Best of all, Jesus says He will return. Nothing could be better than that.
Praise the Lord!
The God of all washes the feet of men. What a lesson for all of us to not think we are higher than any others. Washes all 12 of the apostles feet. I would have skipped Judas. Once again Peter speaks premature. I can relate. A great lesson as always as all the things Jesus did had an underlying deep message for all generations. Once again so surprisingl. Judas never understood in full who Jesus was. If he did believe satan would not have been able to enter him. A house divided cannot stand. A nonbeliever is helpless against the schemes of the enemy of God. The first communion of a new covenant. Overwhelming to think the lamb of God would empty himself so we could be filled with his Spirit
Day 19 5:25-5:28 God had given Jesus power over everything and yet he didn’t do anything to stop what he knew would be coming he also knew that he would be going back to God. Jesus then washed the apostles feet when he came to Simon Peter he tried to stop him and Jesus answered Peter, I have to or you are not one of my people, Jesus goes on to explain how to serve one another as he had served them. He then tells about the betrayal that will take place by one of his own and sends Judas to do it quickly.
Jesus asked the disciples when they broke bread do it in remembrance of him the sacrifice he made and the cup of wine he drank with them would be an atonement for the sins he explains it as an agreement from God to his people so we never forget that ultimate sacrifice. Jesus explains he won’t drink wine with them again till they are together in his father’s Kingdom. Then after all that they start arguing about status whose leads, who’s higher than the other not perceiving what Jesus had just explained to them about the most significant event that’s about to take place . Jesus tells them because they have stuck with him that they will sit on thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.
As others have said, what a powerful picture of service is found in the washing of the disciples feet and a model of the leadership that Jesus calls us to that is revealed in this portion as well as the last portion we read. But this is also a great picture of the difference between the forgiveness we receive from the cross ( you are already clean) and the forgiveness that comes through confession (your feet still need cleaning). What an important distinction for every believer to make between the affirmation that comes in our relationship with God and the responsibility that is ours (through the Spirit) in our walk with Him. And after all this, Jesus makes clear someone will betray Him. You can’t help but think that Jesus does that for Judas’ benefit. He wants Judas to know He knows, so he is not able to just sleek out without being confronted and have to deal with the conviction that will lead him one way or the other.
And how glorious is the new covenant established in Jesus’ blood. It is a covenant of freedom, forgiveness and power. And it is all made possible by the great sacrifice that Jesus would make willing to the glory of the Father and HIs love for us.
The God of all washes the feet of men. What a lesson for all of us to not think we are higher than any others. Washes all 12 of the apostles feet. I would have skipped Judas. Once again Peter speaks premature. I can relate. A great lesson as always as all the things Jesus did had an underlying deep message for all generations. Once again so surprising. Judas never understood in full who Jesus was. If he did believe satan would not have been able to enter him. A house divided cannot stand. A nonbeliever is helpless against the schemes of the enemy of God. The first communion of a new covenant. Overwhelming to think the lamb of God would empty himself so we could be filled with his Spirit
Day 19 [ 5.25–5. 28 ] Wonderful comments brothers and sisters. We are so thick sometimes. We continually have to draw closer to Him. If we don`t we will have cold hearts. We would be useless salt. Sometimes while walking with Him we have to relearn things that he already taught us. Just like the disciples we are slow to learn. God bless you all.
Day 19
5.25-5.28
Jesus said “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean…” When we sin, it doesn’t alter the fact that we are saved, but it’s important to confess it, accept God’s grace and forgiveness and move on with living a godly life. I find it helpful to visualize Jesus washing the apostles’ feet, and quickly turn to God in repentance when I sin so I don’t get stuck in guilt and shame.
Jesus initiates a total change in how man relates to God and vice versa. We relate to God through Jesus’ blood; we approach God’s throne through His blood. Jesus’ blood atones for our sins which prevented our access to the Father.
Jesus initiates a total change in how leadership and authority relates among men. Leaders are to be servants behaving for the benefit of those “beneath” them. Jesus gives a new command, to love one another.