Holy Week Reflections
John 13 carries an astounding yet often-missed truth.
Consider: during what we now call the Last Supper, Jesus took off His outer clothing, wrapped a towel around His waist, poured water into a basin, and proceeded to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with that tower around His waist.
Did that include Judas?
Yes, THAT Judas.
We have no problem with Jesus picking off the crusted dust from, say, Peter’s toes. Or John’s. Or Thomas’.
But Judas’??
We know that Jesus washed Judas’ feet too, because after washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus put His clothes back on and dropped the bombshell: “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me” (v 21).
He gave a piece of bread to Judas. After Judas had taken the bread, he left the room (v 26-27, 30).
So Judas was there. Jesus washed his feet, too.
Think of it. Our Lord already fully knew of Judas’ betrayal, but still loved him anyway to the point of taking the role of a lowest servant and washed his feet.
Reflections:
- Jesus sees the worst in us – all the muck and mess – but loved us anyway, proving it not by washing our feet with water, but by washing away our sins with His own blood.
- Jesus washed all the disciples’ feet, but it doesn’t mean all were clean (v 10). It was still up to Judas to repent or reject such grace. In the same way, let no one say that just because Jesus died for everyone, everyone will go to heaven. It is still up to each of us to repent or reject such grace.
- Jesus could have spared Himself of the Cross by exposing Judas and letting the other eleven disciples do the rest (if you know what I mean). But He allowed God’s plan of salvation to run its course. And we know what happened next.
What an amazing Savior! Yes, the same Jesus Who washed Judas’ feet will also wash your sins away. If you will do the very opposite of Judas: believe, repent, and receive eternal life.
April 6, 2023
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