Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "Beautiful Feet" Thursday, 17 April 2014 - Read John 13:1 Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and was going to God, 4 arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”
7 Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.”
8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!”
Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”
10 Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For he knew him who would betray him, therefore he said, “You are not all clean.” 12 So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. 14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16 Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither one who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!--Romans 10:15 (NIV)
I had taken part in foot washing and Communion in my home church every Thursday before Easter since my youth. As a pastor, I had made preparations for such services. This day’s service was much the same, though the setting was different. This service was taking place in Kenya, East Africa, where I was a missionary — and the feet I was washing belonged to my dear friend and co-worker, Jackson. Jackson had responsibility for overseeing several churches among his father’s tribe, the Maasai. Transportation to the more remote villages was limited so his feet had thickly calloused soles and scars from walking to and from the churches. As I washed his feet, I realized how beautiful they were because, like the feet of Jesus, they brought good news wherever they went. Our small acts of service may go unnoticed or unappreciated by the world, but they are noticed by the Lord of life. What a privilege it is to serve in the same spirit of love that motivated Jesus!
The Author: Eugene Van Alstyne (Oklahoma, USA)
Thought for the Day: Acts of service for others are also for Jesus.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for living out the service of love in our world. Help us to follow your example. Open our eyes to opportunities to love and serve others, that you may be glorified. Amen.
Prayer focus: Missionaries
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