Midweek Devotion 16 April 2025

Reading

John 13:4,5

And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.

Devotion

Today's artwork is by modern Korean Christian artist, Yongsung Kim.  He was born in Jeongeup in 1973 and is a member of South Korea's Church of Christ.  My favorite painting of his is "The Hand of God," though his "Calm and Stars" of Jesus in a boat is a close second.

What I like most about his style is the profound joy that seems to erupt from his paintings.  When I think about washing feet, my own or someone else's, my face scrunches up, I have to move into duty-mode, and just 'git 'er done.'  Look closely at this painting.  The light, the hand holding the foot, the way the water pours--this is not a duty-bound exercise but an expression of profound love.  The gnarled foot, the frayed hem, the dirty ankle are in contrast to the cleansing which is underway.  The vertical brush strokes add an additional sensation of washing.

In John's Gospel Jesus, the spirit master, shows himself as the new temple, a new Way of Love.  I wonder and marvel at the cleansing grace.  How might you, dear reader, need to experience that at this moment in time.  Are your toes gripping hard because of anxiety?  Are your feet sore and broken-toed from bearing many burdens?  Has your spirit gotten filthy-dirty?  Ask! Seek!  Knock!  May you this day encounter the Jesus whose tenderness allows mercy to flow into and through you.

Prayer 

O Jesus, my feet are dirty.

Come even as a slave to me,

pour water into your bowl,

come and wash my feet.

In asking such a thing I know I am overbold

but I dread what was threatened when you said to me,

“If I do not wash your feet I have no fellowship with you.”

Wash my feet then, because I long for your companionship.

And yet, what am I asking?

It was well for Peter to ask you to wash his feet,

for him that was all that was needed for him to be clean in every part.

With me it is different:

though you wash me now I shall still stand in need of that other washing,

the cleansing you promised when you said,

“there is a baptism I must needs be baptized with.”

~ Origen (circa 185-254)