Jesus rose from the table, removed his outer garment, took a towel and wrapped it around his waist. He poured water into a basin. He stooped down to wash their feet. He took the towel and wiped the feet of his disciples.
Jesus came down from heaven. He removed his glory and wrapped on human flesh. He stooped down to pour water and then washed their feet. This reminds me of the waters of creation. God “stooped” from heaven to form man from the dust of the ground. By his towel, Jesus cleaned the disciples. By his blood, by his humanity, he washed us clean.
A Servant God
God is a serving God. It is in his nature to serve. He serves because he loves. Peter would not allow Jesus to wash his feet. But Jesus said, “If I don't wash you, you have no part with me.” On hearing this, Peter wanted Jesus to wash his whole body. The washing of the feet was done by the lowest of slaves. By doing this, Jesus must have shocked his disciples. He was taking on the place of the lowest of slaves.
Jesus came to wash our feet. He took on the form of a slave to save us.
| Lord, what a wonderful God you are. The Almighty God, who created the universe, came to die for me. He continues to give himself to me through the Eucharist. He continues to serve me. Lord, was me and cleanse me. |
Jesus said, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” Jesus washed the disciples' feet, including Judas' feet. According to Jesus, the condition for being clean is to have bathed first. Then he said not all are clean.
Although Jesus washed Judas' feet, Judas was not clean because he had not washed himself. He had to repent first before he could be forgiven.
Salvation is a gift. God has given that gift. We are invited to respond to that gift. Everyone has to make a decision on whether they want to accept the cleansing of Jesus. If there is no decision to accept that gift, then we remain unclean.
After Jesus washed their feet, he took off the towel and put on his outer garment. This is symbolic of him, giving up his life and taking on the glory of the Father.
Jesus gave an example of service - humility - taking off his glory to become man. One has to follow Jesus - not only by serving others, but by giving up his glory and taking on flesh - to be obedient to the Father and to seek the glory of the Father.
Lord, may I truly sek to do your glory. Jesus, help me to see you and obey the Father's will.
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The servant cannot be greater than his master. “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” One must know where one stands before Jesus. Judas did not know where he stood. He did not know his place. Jesus is the Lord, we are his creation. Judas did not want to submit to Jesus. He did not believe in Jesus. That was why he betrayed Jesus.
Jesus foretold this to prove that HE IS. Who is Jesus? He is one with the Father. The Father and Jesus are one. When Judas betrayed Jesus, he also betrayed the Father. When Jesus served the disciples, the Father also served the disciples. What Jesus said are the words of the Father.
The Passion and Victory
Satan entered Judas when he took the bread from Jesus. When Jesus spoke to Judas, he was speaking to Satan. He told Satan to do quickly what he had to do. From this perspective, it seemed like Jesus was telling Satan “do your worst now. Do it quickly so victory can be achieved quickly.” Jesus is ALWAYS victorious!
When Satan started the events that would lead to the death of Jesus, Jesus already declared victory. The Son of God HAS been glorified. Even when the death had not happened, Jesus had already won!
When Satan entered Judas, evening came. It was now the darkest hour. But Jesus said at this time, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately.” In the darkest hour, Jesus was glorified and so was the Father with him and God will glorify Jesus immediately.
This is the victory we have with Jesus. In the midst of difficulties, we are already victorious. God will glorify his children immediately. The key word here is “immediately”. God is glorified when we love one another. Our goal is to glorify God - by the love we show each other.
| Father, through my life's difficulties, through my sinfulness, through the darkness in my life, let me see the victory you have prepared for me. I am more than a conqueror. I am your child - whom you love so much. You have redeemed me Lord. Come and restore to me the glory you have planned for me. |
