Maundy Thursday: Jesus Knew

John 13: 1-5

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 Godand 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.

Confidence can be defined as the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something: firm trust. It is the quality or state of being certain. The opening scene of this upper room discourse starts with what Jesus was certain of. John describes that Jesus knew the hour of the Cross had come; he knew what the Father had given Him, where He came from, and where He was going. It was based on this knowing, this confidence that Jesus makes His next move, 

John 13:4-5

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.

Jesus knew Judas had betrayed Him for thirty pieces of silver. He knew Peter would deny Him three times, yet he stood up, wrapped a cloth around His waist, and lovingly washed their feet, all while resting confidently in his identity, authority, and purpose. In his humanity, his knowing did not take away from his feelings. He experienced the sting of betrayal and rejection from those He loved, yet Scripture says He loved them until the end. With confidence, Jesus sits with and washes the feet of deniers and betrayers, refusing to allow the offense to distract Him from His purpose. Then, He takes it a step further,  

John 13: 14-15

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.

Jesus is forewarning his disciples and us: You’ll be rejected and betrayed, too. Serve, and forgive like this anyway. Remain confident in what has been placed in you, where you come from, and where you’re going. Have confidence not just to do things but to love people and remain steadfast to the life you’ve been called to. Confident that no betrayal or rejection can define what has been given, where you come from, and where you are going.