Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” John 13:3-9

He comes quietly, patiently …

Clothed as a servant.

Constant, but never dominant

As He calls out our true name.

Evoking, but never provoking

For our souls are timid.

Desiring, but never demanding

That we love Him in return.

He comes vulnerably, willingly …

Clothed as thirst.

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Will I drink? Will I let Him love me?

Will I let Him touch those places

in me that are dirty, dusty, calloused?

Will I meet His vulnerability with my own?

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When we surrender to love’s call,

The soul is unshakeable and ready …

Reflection: Are there places in your life that you’ve withheld from Jesus’ touch? Perhaps, you intellectually acknowledge His washing and forgiveness, but you haven’t let Him speak truth and love to that part of you. Peter’s response is often our own. We can simply jump up with the desire to get busy serving God, when He clearly desires to serve us … to love us, to minister to us. We can only truly love when we’ve received His love first. Confession of sin is a conversation … not simply a sorrowful acknowledgment which head hung low. He desires not to simply cover over things but to wash them … to get to the core of us and speak love and healing and hope. Will you take a few minutes today and ask Him to search your heart and tell you where He wants to love you? Wait and listen. Then, ask Him what He wants to say to you about that area of your life.

Prayer: Father, all too quickly, I want to jump up and get busy when my vulnerabilities are exposed. When you give me eyes to see those broken places, I often go back to old patterns of making myself feel better. Today, as I hear Your gracious call, give me the strength to stop and let You love me. In this moment, protect my heart from shame and pride so that I may simply enjoy the reality of Your love. I am deeply grateful for Your patient, persistent pursuit of me. Today, may I slow down and let you catch me … at the depths of my being. Amen.