40 Days of Prayer: Day 38

Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.” Peter said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.” Jesus said to him, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, “Not all of you are clean.” So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them." John 13:5-17

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the example You gave to us on this Maundy Thursday. Thank You for Your life of humble service, that You would wash the feet of Your disciples to teach us how we are to serve one another. Lord, make me quick to serve. Let me have the attitude that You have - that a slave is not greater than his master, nor is the one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. Lord, thank You for the promise that we will be blessed if we follow Your instruction, and give me grace and strength to think of others before myself.

In Your Name,
Amen.