John 13:1-4 "Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. (2) And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; (3) Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; (4) He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself."
"Jesus knew His hour was come." On several occasions, men had
attempted to do away with Jesus. But each time, we would read... "His hour
was not yet come." That tells me that our Heavenly Father was in
absolute control over the schedule of events that led up to the crucifixion,
death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord. No one could lay a hand on Him
until the hours that would follow this moment. His hour was come. So how would
He spend those last hours? Death row inmates are allowed their last meal of
anything they want to eat. Some want steak while others prefer a peanut butter
and jelly sandwich. Jesus knew His time to go to the cross was near. What did
He have for His last meal? The meal would most likely consist of unleavened
bread and bitter herbs. We know that the part which we call Communion or the
Lord's Supper consists of unleavened bread and wine. We will look more at the
elements of the Lord's Supper tomorrow, but today we look at the action of
Jesus after the supper was ended.
Most people who would be in that situation would have wanted to be served
rather than be the server. But Jesus... don't you love those two words?
BUT JESUS "... laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded
himself." Jesus humbled Himself to become the servant that would wash the
feet of the guests. Ultimately the meal represented the work of Jesus in laying
down His life and now after the meal He showed Himself to be a servant. He did
this because He "... loved his own which were in the world, he loved
them unto the end." It was out of love that Jesus bowed Himself before
each disciple (including Judas) and washed their feet. He had nothing to prove
because He knew "... that the Father had given all things into his hands,
and that he was come from God, and went to God." He knew where He came
from and He knew where He was going. Many of God's children will partake of
Communion (the Lord's Supper) this week in remembrance of His death. I pray that
as we think on these things that our hearts will become softened in the
thoughts of Jesus on His knees serving others.
This Blood by Rita Springer
There is a blood that cost a life
That paid my way, death it's price
when it flowed down from the cross
My sins were gone, my sins forgot
There is a grave that tried to hide
This precious Blood that gave me life
But in three days, He breathed again
And rose to stand in my defense
So I come to tell you He's alive
To tell you that He dries
Every tear that falls
So i come to tell you that He saves
To shout and to proclaim
That He's coming back for you