Just as, at Christmas time, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, so at Passover time, the Jews celebrate the occasion when God delivered their nation from Egypt where they had been enslaved. The Passover Feast was one of the highlights of the year and Jesus longed to share this special meal with his closest friends, his disciples.
The disciples were never to forget this particular occasion, partly because it was to prove to be the last meal they would eat with Jesus before his death and partly because of the things Jesus did on this occasion. John describes one of the surprises Jesus had for them on that particular evening:
Jesus...got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him... When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You called me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. (John 13:4-15)
In washing his friends’ feet, Jesus had performed the most menial task imaginable. His challenge to us is:
"A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)
Jesus did one more important thing during the meal. He took bread and distributed it to his friends. Then he took a cup of wine and blessed it. But Luke reminds us that the words of Jesus used on this occasion were unique.
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." (Luke 22:19-20)
Jesus knew that the disciples did not yet know, that on the very next day, his body would literally be broken and his blood spilled. He was about to sacrifice his life as a once-and-for-all offering for sin. It was to be a kind of a covenant sealed with his own blood which would supercede any other previous attempts to bring God and man together. This agreement would reconcile God and man forever, and secure man’s forgiveness from sin. Proof that God's love for mankind was unparalleled.
Lord, give us hearts that warm with gratitude whenever we reflect on the fact that you, the Son of God, signed the agreement which reconciled us to a pure and holy God with your own life-blood, freely shed out of love for us. Help us also to be humble, to love, and to serve sisters and brothers love and humility as you set us the example of washing one another's feet.
This beautiful background is from Janette. If anyone knows who the artist is of this beautiful painting, please let me know so that I can give credit, or remove this set, whichever is preferred. Thank you and God bless you.