Maundy Thursday meaning. People rarely pay attention to the critical detail of the Last Supper, which the Evangelist John describes as Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. He explains this action: “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14). It shows who Jesus is and what He does for us humans.
Jesus Washes Disciples’ Feet
“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.” (John 13:3-5)
The Humility of God
Jesus takes off the robe of His glory in the Upper Room. He is not enthroned before his disciples as God, nor does He judge the world as ruler.
The Son of God kneels before His creatures in the coarse undergarment of His humanity. He washes their feet with His own hands.
Jesus washes away the filth of selfishness from them and frees them from the stench of their arrogance.
Devotional for every day here: Daily Devotional
That’s how He makes them; that’s how He makes us fit for the table. In this way, we become capable of community for the new feast God has in store for us. So, He gives us an example. So He leaves the standard for us as a Church, as His disciples.
Jesus is not just a social or moral example. He is a model for us to imitate.
Jesus wants to bring transformation. So what gives us a gate through which we have to pass so that we, as new people, can sit around the table and socialize, ready for the great that is ready for us.
One can make this secret, hidden in this simple act of washing the feet, understandable with the one word “humility.” The Word of God speaks very specifically: “God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)
Related: JESUS LAST SUPPER
Jesus is humble. He lets himself down. He gives everything and goes up to the cross, where the last and the last will be taken from Him.
Maundy Thursday Prayer
Lord Jesus, you said, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Only a man free from pride is able to live in truth.
Therefore, please, Jesus, help me to discover you. Help to learn to rely not on fragile human possibilities but on You and your love.
Please give me a healthy amount of self-love, freedom, and humility. Give me the attention of the heart that knows how to perceive other people’s needs.
Lord, I give you my heart. Make it soft, pure, and humble, and don’t let pride spread inside of it. Keep me, oh Lord, in your purity, and give my heart the most profound love for you. I love you. I want to be yours now and forever. Amen.
