Lenten Daily Devotional - Day 21 - 3/8/13

Devotional Scripture:  John 13

Devotional Thought:

"Do you understand what I have done for you?" - John 13:12

Another powerful chapter of scripture.  John 13 is worth your reading several times today.

My reading seemed to be drawn to the first 17 verses.

It was customary in the Holy Land in the 1st century for water and towels to be available to all guests entering a home, especially on such a solemn and holy occassion as the Passover Meal.  Some roads of the day were made of gravel, but primarily they were mostly just dirt paths with inches of dust when the weather was dry, and liguid mud when the weather was damp.  Most people wore very basic sandals made of a piece of leather with leather laces to hold them onto one's feet.  As a result, one's feet could get pretty darn dirty by the end of the day.

For some reason, the disciples in charge of preparing for the meal in the Upper Room failed to prepare the water bowl and towels.  Perhaps a miscommunication between them and the owner of the house?  Or as we read in Luke 22, towels and water may have been overlooked as a result of the disciples arguing over which of them was the greatest, and thus inheriting a place of honor next to Jesus.

In a wonderful act of love, the master and teacher of this little band of disciples saw a teachable moment, and did himself what none of the disciples was prepared to do.  He washed their feet. The Master willingly became the servant.

A possible lesson for each of us to consider from our reading is this:  There is only one kind of greatness in life, and that is the greatness that comes through service to others.

As you have taken the time during this season of Lent to clear away and make straight the path that leads to Easter and a resurrected Savior . . . have you uncovered an act of service you had every intention of doing, but perhaps laid to the side, or accidentally forgot?  Or, as you have cleared away the clutter of life, have you become less distracted, and as a result now more clearly hear the still quiet voice of God whisper to you the name of someone He would have you cross paths with . . . perhpas to serve?

Are there some feet around you that need washing?  Are you prepared to do for them, in honor of and out of love for Jesus, what no one seems prepared to do?

God's grace still amazes me . . . ><>