2 Samuel 2:12-3:39
John 13:1-30
Psalm 119:1-16
Proverbs 15:29-30
First, pity Judas. It's been three years of companionship, instruction and miracles - from healing to feeding to raising the dead - and Judas still thinks to trade all this for thirty pieces of silver and the approval of the established authorities. How does one make what on hindsight would seem like such a ridiculous choice? Worse, how often are we guilty of making the same choice ourselves?
Second, how confused must the disciples have been? The Messiah was supposed to go to Jerusalem. Jesus, the rabbi they'd seen heal the sick, feed the hungry and raise the dead, was coming to Jerusalem. Surely He was going to assume His crown, to be the king they expected? Wait - why is He washing my feet? Why was Jesus abasing Himself to serve the one He knew would betray Him, and all the others He knew would abandon Him? Is it perhaps because our obedience to God's will is not supposed to be dependent on how others respond, on what others do?
Finally, final days? When your time is nearly up, how do you spend what's left? On one extreme, men and women (boys and girls, really?) who go on wild bachelor and bachelorette parties before entering into marriage and accepting its impositions of responsibility. Next to them, those who, a day before the forty days of Lenten fast, indulge in hedonistic bacchanalia. And on the other hand Jesus Who, as His death approached, all the more urgently served those He had been given. Your final days - party like rock star? Or wash the feet of your disciples?
Thoughts to ponder, questions to ask ourselves. Father, there is so much to learn from Your Son's life, word and example. Help us to ask ourselves the tough questions, then teach us the right answers, and give us the opportunity, the strength and the resolve to live them.
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