Sacrificial Service
Invitation to connect with Jesus
As you settle in to spend time with God today, try to find a quiet space where you won't be interrupted. Silence your phone. Grab your journal and a pen. Sit comfortably with your hands open in a posture that allows you to receive from the Lord.
Take a few slow, deep breaths:
- Breathe in: God's peace
- Breathe out: Any distractions
Opening Prayer: "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. Open my eyes to see, my ears to hear, and my heart to receive what You want to say to me today."
Today's Scripture Reading
Read today's passage slowly a few times and listen with your heart.
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he 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. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" Jesus answered, "Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean. 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 call 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. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
John 13:1-17 (NIV)
After reading, pause for a moment and then ask: What word or phrase catches my attention?
Meditation
Read the passage again, slowly, focusing on your word or phrase.
In John 13, we read about Jesus' final act of service toward His disciples. Knowing that betrayal and death were imminent, the One who came to save knelt low and showed tenderness to the ones needing saving — including Judas, His traitor. Jesus showed the truest form of mercy, from the sweetness of His pure character, a gesture of loving kindness in the face of ruthless duplicity. He loved them all, to the end.
Take a moment to reflect on these questions.
- Having Jesus wash their feet must have brought forth a breadth of emotion for the disciples. Can you catalog the ways that the Lord has cared for and served you lately?
- In what ways have you turned from the Lord lately? Confess them and ask for His forgiveness. Draw close to Him.
Conversation with God (Prayer)
Read through the passage one more time, allowing the Scripture to lead you to respond to God in prayer. Open your heart and be honest with Him about what you are experiencing. Talk to Him about what comes to mind, and how He might be inviting you to respond.
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he 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. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" Jesus answered, "Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean. 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 call 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. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
John 13:1-17 (NIV)
Are you feeling led toward a prayer of praise? Repentance? A plea for help or healing?
Contemplation
Rest in the awareness of God's presence, remaining open to anything else the Holy Spirit might stir in your heart. If your mind wanders, gently redirect your thoughts toward God. Simply be still. Enjoy a moment of fellowship with God that goes deeper than words.
Rest. Breathe. Be.
Closing Prayer:
Jesus, today we are reminded that we are all like Judas in some way — betraying the beautiful gift of Your saving grace. We're humbled and in awe of Your mercy toward us! You love our beings more than our behaviors, and we're so grateful. Today, keep all the ways You serve and care for us at the forefront of our minds. Banish from us a heart that leans toward turning away from You. Keep us close, Lord. We love You, we love You, we love You. Amen.