Why Holy Week Matters

I read a devotion this morning that led me to Jesus feet.

Actually it pointed me to the Jesus Who got down on His hands and knees and scrubbed grime off the calloused feet of men who were about to desert and hurt and betray Him.

I looked over the part in that story where Almighty God took a bucket and a rag and washed the feet of a traitor. The feet of a liar. The feet of a doubter.

Jesus, the One Who is God, gave up every ounce of shame and washed their hardened heels. The ones that would soon leave Him to fight His battle alone.

Those feet had walked miles through dusty streets and led donkey out of dirty barns. They’d stood to slay lambs, prepare a Passover meal, and argue over who could be the greatest.

And now Jesus held those feet steady as He rubbed them clean.

I read that devotion and all I could think was how much my feet need washed as well. Not because I need a bath, but because of the places I have let them take me. Places like pridefulness and greed and self-centered life.

I need what Jesus gave. What He gives even now.

How amazing it is that God Himself would offer cleanness to such messed up people as those men at that supper. Such messed up people as me.

And this is why Easter. It’s why Holy Week and Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Because Jesus’ clean is all we need.