Saturday 8th November
Read John 13:1-5
“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 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 round 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 round him.” (NIVUK)
Knowing that He was all-powerful (v3) Jesus rose, stripped, grabbed a towel and abased Himself. Not many powerful people do that.
In doing so Jesus provides the physical model that is the only one that will keep the church together, in His absence, through the centuries. It is only from humility that true leadership can spring.
Humility and glory in the one act. Jesus does not perform the task of a slave and seek to be inconspicuous and unobtrusive. Jesus eats with them, then, part way through the meal, disrobes and serves them, including His betrayers. It is deliberately visible.
It is the grandest of gestures displaying perfectly the character required to live together in peace.
“‘Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) (NIVUK)
