Transcript
Speaker: The following podcast is a Jill Devine Media production. Christianity has become known for judgy people, strange words, ancient stories, confusing rules, and a members -only mindset. This is why I stayed away from the church for so long, but it's not supposed to be that way. I'm Jill Devine, a former radio personality with three tattoos, a love for a good tequila, and who's never read the entire Bible.
Speaker: Yet here I am hosting a podcast about faith. The Normal Goes Along Way podcast is your home for real conversations with real people using real language about how faith and real life intersect. Welcome to the conversation.
Speaker: Our time together continues today. It is Tuesday of Holy Week. It is our third day of being intentional with the Lord. Here's Laura Fleetwood and her guided prayer for this Holy Week. Welcome to Tuesday of Holy Week as we continue this practice of guided prayer.
Speaker: to connect with Jesus in the present moment, to read, listen to his word and be reminded of the journey that he made for us. Let's center ourselves in the present by closing your eyes.
Speaker: wherever you are, whatever this day has brought so far. It's okay. You're here in the present moment with God. And he wants to use this time to fill you up.
Speaker: fill you up with His goodness, His mercy, and His love. Turning your attention to the present moment can feel strange when we are not used to it.
Speaker: But the amazing thing is this space is always available to you wherever you are. All you have to do is close your eyes and focus on your breath. Any thoughts that come in?
Speaker: Just allow them to float on by and return your attention to your breath. It is in this space where we can truly connect with God. And our scripture for today continues in the book of John.
Speaker: as we read John's words about Jesus' moments and conversations in the days before his death and his resurrection. Today, we pick up with Jesus as he washes his disciples feet.
Speaker: John 13. It was just before the Passover festival and Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.
Speaker: Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God. So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
Speaker: He came to Simon Peter who said to him, Lord, are you going to wash my feet? Jesus replied, you do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand. No, said Peter, you shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered, unless I wash you, you have no part with me. Then Lord Simon Peter replied, not just my feet, but my hands and my head as well.
Speaker: Jesus answered, those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet, their whole body is clean, and you are clean, though not every one of you. For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean.
Speaker: When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. Do you understand what I have done for you? He asked them. You call me teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set to you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Speaker: Very truly, I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. Jesus could have been doing any number of things.
Speaker: as he got ready and prepared for what was to come. And yet, here we see him, on the ground, humble, serving, washing his disciples feet.
Speaker: Lord, today in this present moment, we admit that we have not always followed your command to serve one another as you served your disciples.
Speaker: We let the busyness of our lives trump the command that you gave us to love and serve those around us. Thank you for always giving us second chances.
Speaker: And today as we come to you and just sit with you in this present moment and listen to the words that you spoke and the command that you gave to serve, would you please speak into our hearts and opportunity?
Speaker: You know the person in our life that needs some love and care. Would you place their name on our heart? Would you please fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we can leave this time of guided prayer and fulfill your command?
Speaker: and do something to serve that person in love you have humbled yourself and served us so many times just like you did your disciples as you washed their feet you defeated sin for us
Speaker: You defeated death for us. You filled us with your spirit, the Holy Spirit, so that we would never be separated from you. And all of this was a gift. We couldn't earn it. We don't deserve it.
Speaker: we love you fill us with your love and your grace and your kindness so that we may leave this time of prayer and re -enter our lives with a sense of purpose to serve to notice those who are hurting
Speaker: and to share your great love with them. In Jesus name, Amen.
