Day 3: Encounter the King
Experiencing the Upper Room - A Good Friday Devotional Series
Rest.
In my opinion, this is one of the most powerful scenes in all of Scripture. So please don’t rush this reading. Settle in your seat, silence your mind, savor that warm cup of joe. Invite the Holy Spirit in. “Holy Spirit, you are welcome here. Help me hear you.”
Read.
What would you feel, if after your first practice as new basketball player, LeBron James, the king of the NBA, got down on his knees, took off your gigantic shoes, pulled off your sweaty socks, stuck your feet in a bubble bath, and washed your toes?
Obviously “awkward” is ringing loud and clear. But what if after that odd moment he looked up at you and said, “Kid, to be great in this biz, you need to serve others, not just be served by them.” And of all tings, he was willing to demonstrate that humility to you and not just tell you about it.
My apologies if the basketball analogy isn’t helping. It’s just that basketball is getting my boys through these “shelter in place” days. :)
So choose someone else that you hold in the utmost respect. Picture them on their knees before you. Pulling off your flip-flops and not right after you’ve had a pedicure, but after a long, hard, dusty journey. That person you respect, stoops down. And begins gently washing your feet.
I am not sure about you, but I haven’t encountered any kind of king that would do this type of thing. Yet here in Scripture, we see the King of Kings doing this very humble act.
There is so much more meaning in this passage than I have time to go into. But I want to at least intrigue you to dig in for yourself. I invite you to re-read and look for this progression of ideas in our passage.
The profound humility of Christ (vv. 4-5).
Our holiness when washed by Christ (vv. 6-11).
The happiness that comes when we walk in the ways of Christ (vv. 12-17).
But our intent and purpose today is to encounter our King. To do so, I invite you to picture Jesus stooping at your feet and meditate on this thought, “Jesus was the Sovereign, yet He took the place of a servant. He had all things in His hands, yet He picked up a towel” (Warren Wiersbe).
Here that again.
Jesus was the Sovereign.
Yet He took the place of a servant.
He had all things in His hands.
Yet He picked up a towel.
There have been three experiences in my life inspired by Jesus’ example from this passage. Each of which I can remember in vivid detail. Each that has had influence on my life and relationships beyond that moment.
Once during David and I’s courtship, we washed each other’s feet. (Don’t role your eyes, give young love a little grace.) Another time was with a group of high school girls I was discipling. But neither of those powerful and profound moments would have occurred, if it weren’t for the example set by my parents.
Back when I was in high school, my brother and his wife were headed to Kenya as missionaries. Nights before they moved half-way around the world, my parents pulled us aside and physically demonstrated this servant leadership. They washed our feet. I say it again. It was both profound and powerful. The experience engraved a message and a mandate on my heart that will forever influence my steps.
“Jesus was the Sovereign, yet He took the place of a servant. He had all things in His hands, yet He picked up a towel.” - Warren Wiersbe
Reflect.
When you were younger, how did you see Jesus? As a Sovereign or as a servant? What shaped that perspective?
How would you describe your encounter with Jesus after reading today’s passage?
What can you do today to “pick up a towel” and serve another?
Respond.
Dear Jesus, Once again we are in awe of you. In awe that you had the whole world in your hands yet you picked up a towel to serve us. Help us encounter your heart today. Your heart for us and others. I know I have a long way to go but may we live like you and lead like you as true servant leaders.
Amen.