SCRIPTURE JOHN 13:1-17
the washing of the disciples’ feet.
Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over.
So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”
Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.”
Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all. ”For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.” So when he had washed their feet [and] put his garments back on and reclined at table again.
He said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet.
I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do. Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.
REFLECTION
He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. Jesus knew his hour had come and was soon to pass from this world. He had one more lesson to teach His disciples. One who loves must also serve. The only thing we take from this world is what we have given away.
He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” Jesus knows human nature and what He is doing seems all messed up. He the teacher, the master, waiting on his disciples, his servants. This is not the way of this world but it is Jesus’ way!
Peter protests, You will never wash my feet! Jesus can’t teach the lesson all at once but He does get Peter’s attention. “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”
The teacher that He is, Jesus then checks out whether his disciples understand the lesson. Do you realize what I have done for you?. Do we understand the lesson? As disciples, are we showing our love by caring and serving others or do we come first?
If we do then we have Jesus’ blessing. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it. You will notice the real emphasis is on the last part, and do it!
SCRIPTURE JOHN 13:31-35
the new commandment.
When Judas had left, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. …My children, I will be with you only a little while longer. You will look for me, and as I told the Jews, ‘Where I go you cannot come,’ so now I say it to you.
I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Love one another, this is how all will know you are my disciples
REFLECTION
Jesus is leaving them soon. To prepare them for what is to come, knowing again human nature and how it looks on things, Jesus wants to get out in front, Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. Jesus knows they don’t understand now but Jesus will return to them after the resurrection to strengthen their faith,
As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Are we seen by others as disciples of Jesus? If not, why not? Can we do more to prove we really are disciples of Jesus?
SCRIPTURE JOHN 13:36-38
peter’s denial predicted.
Simon Peter said to him, “Master, where are you going?” Jesus answered [him], “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” Peter said to him, “Master, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.”
REFLECTION
Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, though you will follow later.” In this Jesus not only promises their suffering persecution for His sake but the blessedness of Heaven and eternal life.
If we follow Jesus the same is in store for us. But no Easter without Good Friday. In the words of St. Paul in his letter to Timothy, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” 2 Timothy 4:7
Peter the brash one, confronts Jesus, why can’t I follow you now, I will lay down my life for you.”
Maybe sometimes we make un-informed promises to Jesus but we have not yet been pruned enough, watered enough, lots of baby steps before we are mature disciples. Jesus is patient with us. It is our effort to do good,, success may elude us sometimes. Be patient with us Jesus and help us to persevere.
Jesus loves Peter with all his heart though He knows Peter’s weaknesses. Amen, amen, I say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.” Peter wept bitterly in the aftermath. Do we mourn and reject our past sins?
Repentance is first sign of conversion, turning back to God. Jesus rewards this sinful man, Peter with making him his prime minister. You are Peter and upon this rock I build my church. And the gates of hell shall not prevail. Matthew 16:18
The Church is divinely instituted (Christ) but humanly constituted (Peter) So be patient with the Church of Christ. We have the promise of the Holy Spirit’s guidance and the promise that the gates of hell will not prevail.
Loved this!