Holy Thursday

WesleyMen Lenten & Easter Devotionals 2025

Gospel Lectionary

John 13:1-17, 31b-35 New International Version

It was just before the Passover Festival. 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.

² The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. ³ Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴ so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵ 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.⁶ He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

⁷ Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” ⁸ “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” ⁹ “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” ¹⁰ 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.” ¹¹ For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

¹² 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. ¹³ “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. ³² If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. ³³ “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. ³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Reflection

Paul López hurried out of his home on April 2^nd, driving a public city bus. As always, passengers began to board after driving just a few meters. However, several shots were fired at Paul, who was driving the bus. He died instantly, and the vehicle crashed into a house in the neighborhood. The murder was provoked by extortionists who had harassed him for several weeks, demanding payments from his earnings as a driver. These extortionists have been threatening owners of city bus companies, restaurants, and other businesses, including small grocery stores and neighborhood shops. Insecurity has become alarming in Lima, Peru’s capital, which has generated tension and protests in organized strikes. Paul’s case is just one of many others. The truth is that in this great city, everyone looks out for their own interests. Those threatened panic and don’t know where to turn; the police and the government have failed to responsibly address this need. Chaos seems to invade the city, affecting some, while others seem oblivious and indifferent to the fear and pain engulfing the people.

The passage from John 13 narrates how Jesus, the teacher, the leader, interrupts a meal to do the work of a slave or servant: washing people’s feet in the living room. It was common in the society of that time for visitors to be greeted with feet washed upon arriving at homes. Jesus takes the time to attend to them. But He also shows them how one must be attentive to serving others. Beyond customs or prejudices, it is necessary to think of the other, of our neighbor. And as He concludes and states, “I have given you an example.” Jesus has broken all logic! John’s texts are written amid the tensions of a community challenged to be steadfast in its faith in Christ. The writer presents the good news of Jesus to invite readers to rediscover how to live discipleship. This must be lived in love and service in the face of the pressures of the world.

The situation in the city of Lima, amidst tension and indifference, is something that happens everywhere. We live in a world that teaches us to focus on our own interests. It’s common to think: “Here I care about myself and only myself.” Jesus’ invitation has been received by many people who work tirelessly sharing God’s love even in the cities where we live. We are witnesses to hearts open to committed discipleship. They live for others. There are those who are not indifferent! They are learning to serve like Jesus. But we need to insist on this message and call new disciples. I am sure we are firmly on this path. Let us not lose heart. And may this time of celebration be conducive to reaffirming this. May it be with our own family, the people of our neighborhood, the community, our town, and the country where we live.

Prayer

Lord, may Your Spirit guide us during this time of Holy Week in the service and love of Jesus. So be it!

Bishop César Llanco Zavaleta of the Methodist Church of Peru, WesleyMen Regional Leader South America