Day 29 - March 29th 2022
READ John 13:1-17
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.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 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.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10 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.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 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. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13:7 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
What appeared as a series of bizarre and unaccountable circumstances that defied reality and reason, was later to be recognized as the necessary prerequisite to the glorious gospel of grace. As the unveiling of God's plans and purposes continued to unfold before their eyes, and as they gained spiritual understanding and developed a deepening awareness of God's perfect plans and purposes for humanity they began to see His plan come to light.
When like the apostle Peter, we come face to face with a series of bizarre circumstances that seem to shatter our lives. We may not understand the reason for life's twists and turns but we can trust Him, knowing that His ways are perfect and His grace is sufficient.
Like the disciples on that night before the cross we may not be comfortable with the shock-horror that we witness or the unjust way that life seems to be unfolding. We may not understand the spiritual significance of all that is happening in our life and the lives of those we care about, but we can trust our heavenly Father for He is still in control. He knows the end from the beginning and all His ways are perfect.
Although we may not know the meaning and mystery of all that we are called upon to bear in this world, let us remember that we may not understand what is happening now, but hereafter we shall know as we are known. May we learn as Peter did.. that what may be shadowed to our understanding today is being used by God to work together for good, to His praise and for our eternal benefit.
In the meantime let us patiently submit to His divine will and depend on Him in all things.