Living Lent – Day 38

Read… John 13: 1-7, 33-35

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’


Jesus washing his disciples feet. The King stooping so tenderly and lovingly to do something so menial to those who had followed him for such a long time and were with him as he went to meet his destiny. But this wasn’t just an act to help his tired and worn out followers – it was something far more fundamental; it was a demonstration of what the disciples needed to do for all people for all times.

Jesus was in a way preparing the disciples for the leadership role that they would shortly be taking up when what we now know as the church was formed following his death and resurrection. A role of servanthood whilst leading the people of God; a role that we today also need to continue because all of us lead or provide an example to people in some way, shape or form as we live our daily lives within the community.

As followers of Jesus, people look to us to set an example; an example of how to treat others; an example of what it means to live a life of love; an example of how to demonstrate that love through our relationships and our behaviour. A life of service and love that is so aptly summed up in the words of Graham Kendrick’s hymn, ‘The Servant King’.

So let us learn how to serve
And in our lives enthrone him,
Each other’s needs to prefer;
for it is Christ we’re serving
(Graham Kendrick)

Amen to that!

Ponder… What is the difference between loving others as we love ourselves, and loving them as Jesus loves us?

Pray… FOR OUR COMMUNITY We pray for our building project. We pray that our building may be a place where all are welcomed, and pray that we may continually seek new ways in which to utilize our premises to serve our community. FOR THE WORLD We pray for all of the places in the world where your love and compassion is demonstrated. We thank God for so many signs of hope in the growth and development of new churches and congregations.

Act… Learn the words to something off by heart, e.g. a song, poem or prayer.