Holy Thursday: The Teacher and The Traitor
John 13:1–35
Thank you for joining us for Day 5 of Tables, Tears, and Triumph, a devotional through Holy Week.
Imagine you were walking with the apostle John. We believe his perspective would have looked something like this:
Jesus was serious and resolute after the tense confrontations from the last few days. Those of us who had been with him the longest could tell there were things he needed us to know. He taught us with a greater sense of urgency than previous times. We would repeat his teachings to each other, trying to understand as best we could the things he said. Things were tense. Stressful. And we were all feeling it.
We were hoping the Passover meal would allow us some much-needed time together, and we knew Jesus was looking forward to celebrating with us.
When we gathered for dinner, we noticed the hosts had overlooked an important custom—there were no supplies provided to wash our dirty feet, even though we’d walked miles on dusty roads. But midway through the meal, Jesus got out a basin of water and a towel and began to wash our feet. Peter protested, expressing discomfort over our beloved teacher performing such a lowly act!
I sat, silent, watching Jesus. After he finished, he said, “Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:12-17)
He also warned that one among us would soon betray him. We were dumbfounded. I leaned in to ask Jesus who it was. Judas. Head swimming, I heard Jesus tell Judas to act quickly. Why did Jesus say that? I watched as Judas fled into the darkness.
What just happened? Did Jesus really wash Judas’s feet, knowing he would betray him? Why not expose him outright? I could hardly think straight.
I heard Jesus say he would leave us soon. He gave us a new command to love each other as he loved us. He said when we do, the world would identify us as his disciples. And as he spoke, the image of Jesus washing Judas’ feet was all I could think about.
Commentary:
Understanding the customs of the day helps us better grasp the significance of washing the disciples’ feet. Their exposed skin would have picked up every kind of filth you can imagine on a road traveled by both humans and animals.
Typically, a host would provide water for guests to wash their feet upon arrival. To show their devotion to esteemed guests, some hosts might have a servant or low-ranking family member wash their feet.
For Jesus to demonstrate such humility toward his followers, especially in a culture that upheld rituals and standards around outward cleanliness, was extraordinary. But to do so for someone who would betray him? Utterly unthinkable!
For reflection:
How can you follow Jesus’s example of sacrificial love to those who may be more like Judas than John?
