2026 Lent Devotions
Maundy Thursday, April 2
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
1 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The devil had already decided that Judas son of Simon Iscariot would betray Jesus. And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from supper, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share 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, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had reclined again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16 Very truly, I tell you, slaves are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”
31b “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
“… 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. …”
Despite what some would say, following Jesus is hard. He commands us to do and say things that challenge the world and the status quo – like washing the feet of the disciples. Normally a servant’s task, Jesus takes the role of a servant and commands his disciples to do likewise. Following Jesus means that you are to be servants of others. Serving is following Jesus.
Jesus also washes the feet of the one who betrays him. Rather than skip Judas, he instead bows down, humbles himself, and ministers to his betrayer. Followers of Jesus are commanded to do likewise. Rather than seek vengeance, show contempt, or hate enemies, Jesus calls us to love all people, even those who seek to hurt or harm us. That’s radical love. That’s following Jesus.
Jesus’ example is also one of self-sacrifice. While few of us will be called upon to die on the cross, dying for the sake of others is part of the call. Giving up ourselves – what we have, who we are – is to follow the Lord. This is perhaps the most difficult of what it means to model our lives after Jesus. It demands more of us that we are typically willing to give.
Following Jesus is hard. He commands us to do and say things that challenge us just as they challenge the world and the status quo. It’s no wonder folks only want to pick and choose which of Jesus’ words to heed or his actions to model. Doing so makes life easier, but it is hardly following Jesus’ example.
PrayerL Lord Jesus, commanding us to follow Your example demands more of us than we are typically ready to give. Cast out my fear, teach me Your way, and inspire me to follow You with all my heart, strength, and might. Amen.