When the King Knelt - Your Nightly Prayer - April 2nd
Your Nightly Prayer
Audio By Carbonatix
By Shea Smith, Crosswalk.com
When the King Knelt
Your Nightly Prayer
By Shea Smith
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” John 13:14
SOMETHING TO PONDER
Let’s set the scene for this moment. Jesus was eating with His disciples, and the devil had prompted Judas to betray Jesus. John 13:3-5 says, Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 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 disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” Could you imagine if this happened at the next dinner party you attend?
The most shocking part of the story isn’t that Jesus didn’t finish His meal (as a foodie, that one always gets me!) or the fact that He started to wash His disciples’ feet. In the historical context, foot washing was left to the lowest servant, often a non-Jewish slave. The most shocking part of the story is how Jesus took the lowest of low positions to make a point: we are called to serve.
I think there’s an interesting detail in John’s account. Before Jesus knelt to wash the disciples' feet, Scripture tells us “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God” (John 13:3). Jesus remembered His position, authority, and future. He was secure in His identity and calling. Knowing His identity and calling beckoned Jesus to take the ultimate role as a servant, inviting us all to realize what our purpose on earth is: we are called to serve.
Footwashing in our text tonight isn’t about cleanliness, but of an ultimate example of lowering oneself to love, serve, and lead. Jesus knew the enemy had a plan. Jesus knew betrayal was coming. And yet, Jesus loved unconditionally and served without hesitation. One has to wonder the feelings Jesus had when he washed Judas’ feet. And so, like Jesus, we take his message to love and serve without stipulations or conditions, and remember this: we are called to serve.
On this night, we reflect on humility, love, and Jesus’ example of servant-hearted leadership. We know that following Jesus calls us to lay down pride and to pick up the towel. What if we serve without hesitation and give without condition? May our love for one another, with humble hearts, show others the way of Christ.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Lord,
I am humbled by your love. It’s so beautiful, pure, and unconditional. Help me remember that I am your child, called to love and serve. When my flesh starts to get in the way of my purpose, remind me that I am of you and returning to you. When I see the enemy’s opposition in my life, I keep my heart and spirit humble to serve without pride. Use my life for your glory and show me how to serve like Jesus. In His name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. When you think of serving, what comes to your mind? Does it align with how Jesus shows us in our Scripture tonight?
2. Where is Jesus asking you to lay down your pride and pick up the towel to lovingly serve?
3. Remind yourself of these three truths tonight:
-I am a child of God, made in His image.
-I am from God and returning to God.
-I am called to serve.
Reflect on tonight���s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Steve Mason
When Shea is not chopping tiny food up for her three tiny humans, or pitching Chipotle to her high school sweetheart-turned-husband, you can find her doing the following: Feeding her sourdough starter (aka 4th child) and baking bread. Putting her Master of Divinity to work by furiously typing about Jesus during naptimes. Posting encouragement and #momlife reels on Instagram. Conquering virtual hills on her Peloton. Renovating "the dream home" with her husband. Co-hosting her church's podcast. Homeschooling the littles. Leading a Barre class. Preaching, teaching, and storytelling. And finally, pretending she will keep her indoor plants alive...this time! You can connect with Shea on Instagram at @SheaHsmith, visit her website at www.sheahsmith.com, and keep up with her posts by signing up here.
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