Tuesday of Holy Week
Rediscovering His Love: The Wounds of Jesus
His Feet*
Objective: A meditation for Tuesday of Holy Week, part 2 of a 4 part series on “Rediscovering His Love: The Wounds of Jesus.”
NOTE: WHILE DELIVERING THIS MEDITATION PASTOR KEN WAS WASHING THE FEET OF A PARISHIONER
Have you ever been on a hike, a hunt or a shopping spree when your feet begin to hurt? I mean REALLY hurt? Maybe you have had a blister from new or poorly made shoes. Maybe your job requires you stand or walk on cement … if so, you understand foot pain.
Some of you live with chronic feet problems … the pain never stops and it is never far from the forefront of your thoughts. You must manage the pain and still take care of your daily responsibilities.
For some reason, Jesus’ feet are given a lot of attention in the Gospels. His feet were used as a medium by some to show their love for him. We read of one lady in Luke 7:36-47 (portions) that illustrates this. “Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. … Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”
Jesus points to His feet as a source of evidence of the resurrection. Luke 24:39 reads, “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
Jesus’ feet were touched by the dirt of the world and the swept clean by the tears of the penitent. Then they were nailed to a cross in hopes that they would never again take him to people in need so he could impart his love and grace. But when he arose His feet took him, once again to places of ministry (i.e. The Road to Emmaus)… forever victorious over the forces of evil … never again to be stopped or hindered.
Peter tells us “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21).
Today’s reflection challenges you to look at your feet. To discern where your feet take you and what path your feet create for others to follow.
Today’s reflection challenges you to follow in Jesus’ steps rather than “make your own way.” Proverbs 3:5-6 reads, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Just as Jesus’ feet were used as a medium by some to show their love for him. So Jesus teaches us that caring for the feet of others expresses our love for them. The same night that Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper we read these words (John 13:1-17).
1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10 Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Tonight’s feet washing service will be a first for many of us. But as we do so we observe the Lord’s instruction and challenge ourselves to serve even as he served.
A Prayer of Servanthood
Christ Jesus, our redeemer and friend, who for joy became our servant:
Lead us to joyful service of the needy.
Jesus, suffering savior and praying priest:
Empower us by patient suffering to spread the peace of your cross;
By steadfast endurance, without envy or resentment, to demonstrate your victory;
By steady and faithful prayer to carry our neighbor into your gracious presence.
Teach me, O my maker, to look upon my person and my abilities as your gifts, so that I may trust your care for me,
So that I may be delivered from jealousy and envy,
So that I may see you hidden in my neighbor,
And there serve you with gladness.
Son of Righteousness,
Take the side of the oppressed;
Protect those who are vulnerable, especially the young;
Curb sinners in their way, and restore the fallen.
Jesus friend of sinners, companion of the outcast, advocate for the needy:
Enlighten our eyes to see you in our needy neighbor.
Merciful Father, compassionate Son, consoling Spirit:
Remember in mercy the sick and dying, the suffering and persecuted, the fearful and distraught, the bored and despairing.
By your goodness grant relief to all in need
And strengthen them to trust in you.
God of grace, you create us into a new community:
Make us to be indeed the body of Christ and a vehicle of love and joy in this world, until we offer the full and perfect praise forever. Amen.
++++++++++++++++++
* Special thanks to Christina Baxter’s Book, “The Wounds of Jesus” for the meditation idea and much of its content.
This meditation is provided by Dr. Kenneth Pell
Potsdam Church of the Nazarene
Potsdam, New York
www.potsdam-naz.org
