“On the day the sacrifice of the Passover lambs was to take place, Jesus sent for Peter and John and instructed them, “Go and prepare the Passover supper so we can eat it together.”
They asked him, “Where do we make the preparations to eat the meal?” Jesus gave them this sign: “When you enter the city, you will find a man carrying a jug of water. Follow him home and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher told us to ask you, “Where is the room I may use to have the Passover meal with my disciples?” ’ He will then take you to a large, fully furnished upstairs room. Make the preparations for us there.” They went and found everything to be exactly like Jesus had prophesied, and they prepared the Passover meal.”
Luke 22:7-13 TPT
Imagine you are watching this drama being performed before your very eyes. Maybe you can hear a soft tune playing in the back ground. The stage is set with a banqueting table. Thirteen pillows are situated around it. Wine, gobblets, and unleavened bread are placed neatly around the table. The room has been swept clean of leaven and crumbs. This upper room is the setting for this act entitled, “An intimate family affair.” Sit up and don’t get lulled asleep by this peaceful scene because Jesus is about to teach us a very important lesson.
It is the calm before the storm. Jesus was circling the wagons before the enemy attacks. The lamb was being prepared for the slaughter and Jesus desired to eat with His disciples one last time in peace and quiet.
Getting up from the meal Jesus performs a shockingly unheard of act.
“Jesus knew that the night before Passover would be his last night on earth before leaving this world to return to the Father’s side. All throughout his time with his disciples, Jesus had demonstrated a deep and tender love for them. And now he longed to show them the full measure of his love. Before their evening meal had begun, the accuser had already planted betrayal into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. Now Jesus was fully aware that the Father had placed all things under his control, for he had come from God and was about to go back to be with him. So he got up from the meal and took off his outer robe, and took a towel and wrapped it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ dirty feet and dry them with his towel.”
John 13:1-5 TPT
He was their Teacher. He was their Lord. He was Rabbouni. No other Rabbi in the county would have knelt to serve in this capacity. There were servants for this menial job. Their feet were dirty, caked with the grime of Jerusalem’s road. Thousands upon thousands have thronged into the city to celebrate. The disciples carried the dust from all over Israel on their feet.
Be there!
Maybe Jesus walks off the stage carrying His water basin and towel. He approaches you. Are you shocked that your Savior is kneeling before you, readying to wash your dirty feet? Peter was.
“But when Jesus got to Simon Peter, he objected and said, “I can’t let you wash my dirty feet—you’re my Lord!” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand yet the meaning of what I’m doing, but soon it will be clear to you.” Peter looked at Jesus and said, “You’ll never wash my dirty feet—never!” “But Peter, if you don’t allow me to wash your feet,” Jesus responded, “then you will not be able to share life with me.” So Peter said, “Lord, in that case, don’t just wash my feet, wash my hands and my head too!” Jesus said to him, “You are already clean. You’ve been washed completely and you just need your feet to be cleansed—but that can’t be said of all of you.” For Jesus knew which one was about to betray him, and that’s why he told them that not all of them were clean. After washing their feet, he put his robe on and returned to his place at the table. “Do you understand what I just did?” Jesus said. “You’ve called me your teacher and lord, and you’re right, for that’s who I am. So if I’m your teacher and lord and have just washed your dirty feet, then you should follow the example that I’ve set for you and wash one another’s dirty feet. Now do for each other what I have just done for you.
I speak to you timeless truth: a servant is not superior to his master, and an apostle is never greater than the one who sent him. So now put into practice what I have done for you, and you will experience a life of happiness enriched with untold blessings!””
John 13:6-17 TPT
The secret of an abundant life is in the act of giving and serving one another.
The piano notes have been playing softly in the background, but now the piano begins to crescendo.
The betrayer exits stage left.
“Then Jesus was moved deeply in his spirit. Looking at his disciples, he announced, “I tell you the truth—one of you is about to betray me.” Eyeing each other, his disciples puzzled over which one of them could do such a thing. The disciple that Jesus dearly loved was at the right of him at the table and was leaning his head on Jesus. Peter gestured to this disciple to ask Jesus who it was he was referring to. Then the dearly loved disciple leaned into Jesus’ chest and whispered, “Master, who is it?” “The one I give this piece of bread to after I’ve dipped it in the bowl,” Jesus replied. Then he dipped the piece of bread into the bowl and handed it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And when Judas ate the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus looked at Judas and said, “What you are planning to do, go do it now.”
Some thought that Judas, their trusted treasurer, was being told to go buy what was needed for the Passover celebration, or perhaps to go give something to the poor. So Judas left quickly and went out into the dark night to betray Jesus.”
John 13:21-27, 29-30 TPT
Now I imagine you are sitting on the edge of you seats, aren’t you?