The Glory

John 13:1, 4-5 (NIV) —

‘It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end… So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciple’s feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.’

Jesus knew the betrayal that was to come, he knew the pain that was to come. Yet, he chose to be amongst his friends, even the ones that would betray him – he chose to extend grace. This is the glory of Jesus.

The glory of Jesus teaches us the power of relationships - in his final moments, Jesus chose to be among his friends. The glory of Jesus teaches us the magnitude of loving those who have wronged us – he extends grace to those who are to wrong him. The glory of Jesus teaches us not to hold a grudge – Jesus trades offence for service and washes the disciples’ feet.

This is the glory of Jesus. That even though we don’t deserve it, he forgives us. That even though we betray him, he invites us round his table and washes our feet. The glory of Jesus looks you in the eyes and says, ‘Come, as you are. I love you’.

As a response to his grace for you, who do you need to extend grace to today? As you reflect on the price Jesus paid to win your forgiveness, who do you need to forgive?

Perhaps there’s a relationship you wish to repair, putting past hurt behind you. Perhaps you’ve been carrying pain and offence that Jesus is asking you to lay at the foot of the cross. Whose feet do you need to wash today? Who needs an invitation to your table today?

PRAYER — Jesus, thank you for your glory. Thank you that you invite me, you welcome me and you wash my feet. Help me do the same for others. Show me who I need to reach out to today, then give me the courage to do it.