Devotions for Hurting Hearts

The Refreshing Ministry of Jesus, John 13:3-5

John 13:3-5: Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God, and was going back to God, rose from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself about. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.

I believe that to fully grasp what is happening here it is important to ask this question. Who is Jesus? To answer we will start at the first chapter of John verses 1-3, where we learn that Jesus was “the Word” who existed in the beginning with God and who as God created all things. In verse 14 Jesus “became flesh and dwelt among us”. In verse 29 John the Baptist points to Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! “, and in verse 33 he proclaims Jesus as “the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit”. In John chapter 5: 25-26 we learn that Jesus has the power to raise the dead and the authority to execute judgment. To sum up Jesus is God the Creator, who became man, who became the sacrifice for our sins, who baptizes us with his Holy Spirit, and who will raise and judge the dead.

“Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:9-11.

It is this Jesus, the Lord of all creation, who humbly takes the place of a servant to bow at His disciples’ feet to wash all twenty-four of them, including the two who will in the next moment run to betray Him. Jesus takes the time to minister His love in a very physical way that would be cleansing, soothing and comforting. One of my fondest memories of camping with youth was a time when our leader decided to hold a voluntary foot washing. One of the youth chose to wash my feet. My feet were dirty, smelly, battered, and sore from three days of trekking around the mountains in the summer heat. It was not a pleasant task for the youth, but to me it was so soothing, so comforting, and so therapeutic that I have never forgotten the experience. In a similar way our souls are dirty, bruised and battered by the loss of our loved one. Our hearts may be troubled by bad thoughts, negative emotions, sinful desires and harmful behaviors that make our grieving experience unbearable. Jesus wants to come and minister His love to us, to cleanse and heal us like no one else can. “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Messiah our Savior.” Titus 3 4-6

Jesus wants to “wash your feet”. The gospel records that when Jesus came to the disciple Peter, he protested, but Jesus persisted and Peter submitted and received the blessing. All we need to do is to submit to the love of Jesus and let Him have His way with us.

Prayer: Dear Jesus. Please come to my wounded and hurting heart and minister your love to me as you did to your disciples. Pour out the regenerating and restoring baptism of your Holy Spirit. Have your perfect way with me as I trust in you. Amen.