"I have given you a model to follow,
so that as I have done for you,
you should also do.”
(John 13:15)
Jesus, the Master and Teacher, washes the feet of His disciples, a task typically done by a servant. This act of humility and demonstration of selfless service is a powerful lesson for us to serve others, regardless of our position or status. We should be willing to serve others in love and humility. Like Jesus, our love should be unconditional, even when faced with adversity. True leaders are those who serve. Jesus’ actions provide a model of leadership characterized by humility and service, rather than power and control. These lessons guide us in our interactions with others and our relationship with God. They remind us of the importance of humility, service, love, leadership, obedience, and following Jesus’ example.
1 Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. 2 The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, 3 fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, 4 he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” 8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.” 11 For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12 So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? 13 You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. 14 If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” (John 13:1-15)
In basin's gentle cradle, water clear, the Master kneels, His purpose drawing near. With tender grace, He lifts a disciple's feet, a servant's task, in love's embrace, complete. No crown adorns, no scepter in His hand, yet sovereign He, in meekness takes His stand. The One who shaped the stars and calmed the sea, now washes feet, in silent dignity. "Follow," He bids, "this path I lay before, in humble service, love's vast depth explore. For greatness lies not in the throne's demand, but in the heart that serves with gentle hand." Unconditional, His love—a beacon's flame, that through the darkest trials, remains the same. In selfless acts, a leader true is found, where pride is lost, there servant hearts are crowned. So let us tread where dusty roads may lead, with basin and with towel, serve in deed. For in each act of kindness, small or grand, we walk the path that Jesus' feet have spanned. Embrace humility, cast power aside, in service, let your heart in Christ abide. for lessons taught by washing soiled feet, guide us to love, in every heart we meet.
Heavenly Father, who art in love and light, teach us to serve as Jesus did, so right. With basin and towel in His holy hands, He washed their feet, breaking pride's harsh bands. Master and Teacher, yet servant He became, to show us that true leadership is tame. Not in control or power do we stand, but in humble service, at Your command. Grant us the strength to follow in His way, to serve with love, come night or day. Unconditional, our hearts we open wide, even when adversity is by our side. In washing feet, a lesson so divine, we learn to love, to lead, to intertwine. Our actions speak of obedience so true, following Jesus' example in all we do. Remind us, Lord, of humility's worth, as we walk our path upon this Earth. In service, love, and leadership we find, the way to live with You in heart and mind. Amen.
God’s redemption is urgent. His profound love and mercy provided a way for humanity’s salvation. Christ is the perfect sacrifice who died so that judgment would “pass over” to believers. Just as the Israelites left behind their life of bondage in Egypt, believers are called to leave behind their old life of sin. As believers, we are called to live holy lives. Let us remember and honor what God has done for us.
1 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2 “This month shall stand at the head of your calendar; you shall reckon it the first month of the year. 3 Tell the whole community of Israel: On the tenth of this month every one of your families must procure for itself a lamb, one apiece for each household. 4 If a family is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join the nearest household in procuring one and shall share in the lamb in proportion to the number of persons who partake of it. 5 The lamb must be a year-old male and without blemish. You may take it from either the sheep or the goats. 6 You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, and then, with the whole assembly of Israel present, it shall be slaughtered during the evening twilight. 7 They shall take some of its blood and apply it to the two doorposts and the lintel of every house in which they partake of the lamb. 8 That same night they shall eat its roasted flesh with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 11 “This is how you are to eat it: with your loins girt, sandals on your feet and your staff in hand, you shall eat like those who are in flight. It is the Passover of the Lord. 12 For on this same night I will go through Egypt, striking down every firstborn of the land, both man and beast, and executing judgment on all the gods of Egypt—I, the Lord! 13 But the blood will mark the houses where you are. Seeing the blood, I will pass over you; thus, when I strike the land of Egypt, no destructive blow will come upon you. 14 “This day shall be a memorial feast for you, which all your generations shall celebrate with pilgrimage to the Lord, as a perpetual institution.” (Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14)
In the heart of the night, a message takes flight, God's redemption is urgent, a beacon so bright. His love, profound and deep, a promise to keep, offers salvation, for humanity to reap. Christ, the perfect sacrifice, in the heavenly trice, died so judgment would pass over, paying the price. Just as Israelites left bondage, in a courage-filled stance, believers too, are called to advance. Leaving behind the old life of sin, a new journey to begin, a call to holiness, a call from within. In this life, we strive, in His grace, we thrive, living holy lives, in His love, we dive. So let us remember, in honor and tender, the deeds of our God, our ultimate defender. For in every sunrise, in every prayer, we see the signs of a God who cares.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today with humble hearts. We acknowledge that Your redemption is urgent, a divine call that echoes in the depths of our souls. Your profound love and mercy have provided a way for humanity's salvation, a path illuminated by Your grace. We remember Christ, the perfect sacrifice, who died so that judgment would "pass over" us. His sacrifice, a testament to Your boundless love, has granted us the gift of eternal life. Just as the Israelites left behind their life of bondage in Egypt, we too are called to leave behind our old life of sin. As believers, we are called to live holy lives, reflecting Your divine image in our thoughts, words, and actions. We strive to walk in Your ways, guided by Your Holy Spirit, and seek to embody the love and compassion of Christ in all we do. Let us always remember and honor what You have done for us. May we never forget the depth of Your love, the breadth of Your mercy, and the height of Your grace. We thank You for Your faithfulness and Your unchanging nature. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Every good thing comes from God. In all circumstances, God's saving power is upon us. He values our lives immensely. His redeeming love has delivered us and gave us spiritual freedom from sin. It is only fitting that we keep our commitments and be faithful in our promises to God. Let us always be thankful in expressing our gratitude to God not just in words, but also through our actions of humbly serving the Lord.
12 How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me? 13 The cup of salvation I will take up, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. 15 Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful ones. 16 I am your servant, the son of your handmaid; you have loosed my bonds. 17 To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving, and I will call upon the name of the Lord. 18 My vows to the Lord I will pay in the presence of all his people. (Psalm 116:12-13, 15-16, 17-18)
Every good thing, a gift divine, from God above, in His love, does shine. In every circumstance, near or far, upon us always, is God's saving star. He values our lives, oh so immensely, His love for us, boundless and intensely. His redeeming love, a beacon bright, delivers us into His holy light. Spiritual freedom from sin, a gift so grand, in His presence, humbly we stand. Commitments we make, promises we keep, in faithfulness to God, our love runs deep. Thankfulness we express, in words and deed, serving the Lord, is our humble creed. In gratitude, our hearts do sing, for every good thing, from God, does spring.
Dear Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that every good thing comes from You. In all circumstances, we are reminded of Your saving power upon us. You value our lives immensely, and for that, we are eternally grateful. Your redeeming love has delivered us and given us spiritual freedom from sin. It is only fitting that we keep our commitments and be faithful in our promises to You. Let us always be thankful, expressing our gratitude to You not just in words, but also through our actions of humbly serving You. Guide us, Lord, in our daily lives, that we may always remember Your love and mercy. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
The observance of the Lord’s Supper is a time to remember Christ’s sacrifice for humanity. It’s a reminder of His love and the price He paid for our sins, a communal act that should bring believers together, and a time to put aside differences and come together as one body in Christ. Let us treat others with respect and consideration, especially within the context of communal worship, preach the Gospel message through our action as we look forward to His second coming.
23 Brothers and sisters: I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, 24 and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
In the observance of the Lord's Supper, we unite, remembering Christ's sacrifice, His love so bright. A reminder of the price He paid, so willingly, for our sins, He suffered, to set us free. A communal act, bringing believers together, in His love, we are one, now and forever. Differences aside, in Christ, we are one body, in His presence, we find peace, pure and holy. With respect and consideration, let us treat each other, in the context of worship, love one another. Preaching the Gospel through our actions, day by day, as we look forward to His second coming, we pray.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today in observance of the Lord's Supper, a time to remember the ultimate sacrifice made by Christ for humanity. We are reminded of His boundless love and the price He paid for our sins. As we partake in this communal act, we are brought together as one body in Christ. We put aside our differences and unite in Your holy name. Lord, guide us to treat others with respect and consideration, especially within the context of communal worship. Help us to embody the Gospel message in our actions, serving as living testimonies of Your love and grace. As we look forward to the second coming of Christ, fill our hearts with anticipation and hope. May we live each day in service to You, proclaiming Your goodness to all. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
III: The Book of Glory
THE WASHING OF THE DISCIPLES' FEET
John 13:1-20
I: The Israelites in Egypt
THE PASSOVER RITUAL PRESCRIBED
Exodus 12:1-20
Fifth Book of Psalms 107-150
THANKSGIVING TO GOD WHO SAVES FROM DEATH
Psalm 116:1-19
IV: Problems in Liturgical Assemblies
TRADITION OF THE INSTITUTION
1 Corinthians 11:23-34