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Passion Week Devotion - Thursday


Thursday – Passion Week
John 13:1-17

            Thursday night of the Lord’s Passion Week is filled with different events.  Jesus shares the Passover Seder meal with His twelve disciples in an Upper Room in Jerusalem. The Christian world refers to this day as Maundy or Holy Thursday.  It is the time set aside on the Christian calendar to commemorate the Lord’s last Supper.
            It was during this supper that He instituted Holy Communion or as it is called in some churches, “The Lord’s Supper.”  At the Passover meal we learn that He broke the bread, distributed it to His disciples, and said, “This represents My body which will be broken for you.”  He then took up the cup and told them, “This cup represents my blood that will be shed so that a new covenant will be instituted.  Christian’s today celebrate Holy Communion and commemorate the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord.
            On this busy night we learn that before they sat down to share in the Passover meal that Jesus took off His outer garment and wrapped up in a towel.  He took a basin of water and washed the feet of His disciples.  Listen to the conversation between our Lord and Simon Peter in John 13:6 – 8 – “Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, are You washing my feet?’” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”
            Why did Jesus wash the feet of His disciples?  John 13:14 – “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”  He was demonstrating the role of a servant.  He was showing His love for His disciples.  One of the many ways He demonstrated His love was by serving others.
            In Matthew 20:28 we learn, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”  The world today is looking for greatness, promotion and position, but Jesus reveals a kingdom principle about greatness.  Matthew 20:25-26 – “But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.’”
            We are never greater than when we serve others.  Our challenge today is to find a place of service that brings glory to our risen Lord.  Let me encourage you to ask the Father to help you find a place where you can introduce others to the blessings of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Pastor W. Terry Bailey

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