Daily Devotional For Thursday, April 17, 2025

Today is what is called during Holy Week, Maundy Thursday. This is the Thursday we remember Jesus’ Last Supper with His disciples. What does the term “Maundy” mean? It is not a typo for Monday. “Maundy” is a French word derived from a Latin word that means “command or mandate.” Based on John 13:34-35, the early church applied this command or mandate to serving one another as Jesus did in washing His disciples feet. 

Over time it came to mean “to commemorate the washing of the feet.” At the Last Supper, Jesus took a basin of water and a towel and washed His disciples dirty and filthy feet. This was a shock to His disciples because no teacher ever humiliated themselves to do this for their students. 

In fact, Jewish law stated that no Jewish master could force his slaves to wash his feet. This was a task so low that only the one with dirty feet could wash his or her own dirty feet. Jesus did it to teach His disciples one of the reasons He came. Jesus said this in Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (NASB).

Can you imagine the difference churches would make if people in them followed Jesus’ example and actually served each other, rather than posturing for positions, power and prestige? Jesus was not humiliated by doing this. He humbled Himself as an example how we should humble ourselves to serve each other. 

At the last church I pastored 25 plus years ago, we had a Maundy Thursday service. Members came and our deacons washed anyone’s fee who wished to participate. Some people refuse to participate because of some type of foot issue such as toenail fungus, or arthritis, or the smell or just simply pride. Look at these verses below:

• Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling” (NASB).
• Proverbs 11:2, “When pride comes, then comes dishonor, But with the humble is wisdom” (NASB).
• James 4:6, “God opposes the proud” (NASB).
• Galatians 6:3, “For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (NASB).

Assignment: Find a way to serve this week – “to wash their feet” so to speak – someone in the name of Jesus who no one else will. Don’t draw attention to it or even say why. Just do it and leave the rest with the Lord.

Scripture To Meditate On: Luke 22:26b, “Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant” (NASB).

Prayer To Pray: “Dear Lord, You modeled for us to be a servant to each other and others. I have to confess there are times I want to be served, not serve. Please forgive me for this attitude. That people would see Jesus in me is my goal. I pray they do. I love You Lord. Help me to do this for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly