Be Still: Daily Devotional

This is a version of the five-step Daily Examen that St. Ignatius practiced.

1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow.

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

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Today is April 25th.     
   
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.    
   
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
 
Today’s reading is from 1 Peter, chapter 2. 


Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

   
This passage offers us a picture of an exchange: impure, for pure. Evil, for good. Peter makes us think of a newborn infant, being filled up with healthy and whole nutrition that leads to their growth and development. Think for a moment about the past few days: what kinds of things are ‘filling’ you up? What has your attention? What do you watch, or listen to, or scroll past? 
   
Are the things that fill you up things that are leading to your spiritual flourishing? Does what you watch, listen to, or scroll past lead toward spiritual maturity and Christlikeness? Or are you putting your attention in places that stir up things like malice and envy? Let’s listen to this brief scripture one more time… pay attention to the one word or phrase that stands out to you. 

I have a friend who is an amazing cook. When he brings a new snack to our small group, after each bite someone literally says: “oh my gosh, this is SO GOOD!” Have you experienced that, ever? Maybe eating at your favorite restaurant? Or at your grandmom’s house? Peter is using words to remind his listeners that we’ve tasted the goodness of God himself… they’ve experienced it in a real and impactful way. And he’s remind us that we should exchange the darkness, the impurity of the world for the refreshing, revitalizing, and reassuring goodness of God. As we end our time of prayer, plan to take time today to reflect on moments in your spiritual life where you’ve ‘tasted’ the goodness of God. You might even want to journal for a few moments right now about those moments.  

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   

Music: "We Are Hungry" - Vineyard Soul - (YouTube) 

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

More at pickerill.casa

Today is April 24th.
   
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.   
  
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from Genesis chapter 18.
 

The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. 
 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord,[a] do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.” 
“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.” So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.” Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.  “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said. Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” 
  

Can you imagine yourself in this scenario? One in which you, like Sarah, feel like God is speaking something impossible, almost laughable, to you? If there a situation in your life right now that feels this way, how are you navigating it? 
 
As you listen to the scripture again, consider all the questions that Sarah must have had running through her mind: how do these visitors know what I’m thinking? How on earth could I have a baby at this stage of life? Why now, and not earlier? Is this really God? What kind of questions to you bring to God today? 
   
This passage ends with a question: ‘is anything too hard for the Lord?’. In our minds, we know the answer to that question is: of course not! God is all powerful. All knowing. Ever-present. God is the creator of all that is. There is nothing too difficult for God. But in our hearts? In our hearts, sometimes we feel doubt. Our circumstances lead us to wonder if we’re out of God’s ability or desire to help. And our pain, or unanswered prayer, or sense of hopelessness in difficult circumstances, can cause us to languish in a place of spiritual despair. As we end our time of prayer, can you bring that which feels beyond God’s control, or that which leads you to doubt or that which causes you to ask your own hard questions… can you bring that to God? Take a moment and bring all of your questions and doubts to God. 
 
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   

Music: Nothing Is Too Hard For You - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

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Today is April 23.


The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.  
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 1.
 
 
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For since in the wisdom of God / the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.  
 

As you come to prayer today, spend a few moments thinking about the word foolish and the word wise. How do you feel that God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise? Or the weak things to shame the strong? 
   
Listen again to Paul’s words and really think: what does this upside-down, counter cultural emphasis tell you about the character of God?  
 
Do you struggle being a ‘foolish thing’? Where in your heart or your ego do you resist allowing God to be the strong one, the competent one... instead of you? I’d encourage you to ask the Lord for His gift of humility. Talk to Him about your ego, and where you might be relying on the wrong kinds of things.

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   
 
Music:  "God Has Been Good To Me" - Vineyard Worship (YouTube) 

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

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Today is April 22nd.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.   
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from the book of John, chapter 12.  
 

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.  

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.  

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”  

  
Take some time to play this scene back in your mind, at least what you remember of it. Maybe imagine yourself in the room as you watch this scene unfold. You see Jesus, and Martha and Lazarus. And you smell the food. You see a beautiful scene of worship as Mary washes Jesus’ feet with her hair. Then you see Judas. Notice your interior movement to what’s happening during this exchange. 
   
I notice how Jesus acts in a kind and protective way toward Mary. He’s the guest of honor, a person with power in that space. And in this moment, he uses that privilege to tell Judas to “leave Mary alone”.  Imagine how it would have felt for her to first hear Judas’ critique. And then imagine what it’d have been like to hear Jesus’ words of protection spoken over her.
   
Do you ever forget that Jesus of Nazareth was a man? God in the flesh, yes. But also... Jesus of Nazareth. A carpenter. Leader of a small movement. In this scene there is much to notice but I notice the protective, big-brother-ness of Jesus. It reminds me of how he treated the woman caught in adultery. With dignity. Jesus is a remarkable example of walking in both confidence and strength and humility and kindness. As you end your time of prayer today, consider the strength of Jesus... and where you might use your own strength to serve God, and protect the vulnerable.

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   
 
Music:  "Among the Poor" - Vineyard Worship (YouTube)

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

More at pickerill.casa

Today is April 21 
 
May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.  
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”   
  
Today’s reading is from the Book of Job chapter 19.    
7 “Though I cry, ‘Violence!’ I get no response; 
    though I call for help, there is no justice. 
8 He has blocked my way so I cannot pass; 
    he has shrouded my paths in darkness. 
9 He has stripped me of my honor 
    and removed the crown from my head. 
10 He tears me down on every side till I am gone; 
    he uproots my hope like a tree. 
11 His anger burns against me; 
    he counts me among his enemies. 
12 His troops advance in force; 
    they build a siege ramp against me 
    and encamp around my tent. 
… 
 
23 “Oh, that my words were recorded, 
    that they were written on a scroll, 
24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, 
    or engraved in rock forever! 
25 I know that my redeemer lives, 
    and that in the end he will stand on the earth.  
26 And after my skin has been destroyed, 
    yet in my flesh I will see God; 
27 I myself will see him 
    with my own eyes—I, and not another. 
    How my heart yearns within me! 
  
The scriptures aren’t afraid of expressing emotions. God is an emotional God and he is not ashamed of emotions. Even emotions that we are sometimes uncomfortable with, the Bible doesn’t shy away from. How comfortable are you in expressing your feelings to God? Does it make you uncomfortable to express certain emotions to God?  
 
The book of Job is full of intense lament. And what Job is lamenting is that God is against him. It is God who has blocked him. It’s God who has stripped him. God tears him down. God’s anger burns against him. God’s armies lay siege to him. Have you ever been a time in your life when you’ve felt that God is against you? As you hear the passage again, listen for Job’s turn from lament to hope.  
7 “Though I cry, ‘Violence!’ I get no response; 
    though I call for help, there is no justice. 
8 He has blocked my way so I cannot pass; 
    he has shrouded my paths in darkness. 
9 He has stripped me of my honor 
    and removed the crown from my head. 
10 He tears me down on every side till I am gone; 
    he uproots my hope like a tree. 
11 His anger burns against me; 
    he counts me among his enemies. 
12 His troops advance in force; 
    they build a siege ramp against me 
    and encamp around my tent. 
… 
 
23 “Oh, that my words were recorded, 
    that they were written on a scroll, 
24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead, 
    or engraved in rock forever! 
25 I know that my redeemer lives, 
    and that in the end he will stand on the earth.  
26 And after my skin has been destroyed, 
    yet in my flesh I will see God; 
27 I myself will see him 
    with my own eyes—I, and not another. 
    How my heart yearns within me! 
  
This is one of the earliest glimpses of resurrection that we see in scriptures. After my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God. I myself will see him, with my own eyes. Amid devastation, a word of hope, that suffering isn’t the last word. Resurrection is. As you go through your day today, hold on to this word of hope.  
  
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   
 
Music: "You Don't Have to Lose Heart" - Vineyard Worship (C Major) 
You Don't Have To Lose Heart | Official Lyric Video | Vineyard Worship 


Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

More at pickerill.casa

Today is Saturday of Holy Week.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”  

Assist me mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that I may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
Today’s reading is from Psalm 22.


My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 
    Why are you so far from saving me, 
    so far from my cries of anguish? 
My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, 
    by night, but I find no rest. 
Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; 
    you are the one Israel praises. 
In you our ancestors put their trust; 
    they trusted and you delivered them. 
To you they cried out and were saved; 
    in you they trusted and were not put to shame. 
But I am a worm and not a man, 
    scorned by everyone, despised by the people. 
All who see me mock me; 
    they hurl insults, shaking their heads. 
“He trusts in the Lord,” they say, 
    “let the Lord rescue him. 
Let him deliver him, 
    since he delights in him.” 
Yet you brought me out of the womb; 
    you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast. 
From birth I was cast on you; 
    from my mother’s womb you have been my God. 
Do not be far from me, 
    for trouble is near 
    and there is no one to help. 
Many bulls surround me; 
    strong bulls of Bashan encircle me. 
Roaring lions that tear their prey 
    open their mouths wide against me. 
I am poured out like water, 
    and all my bones are out of joint. 
My heart has turned to wax; 
    it has melted within me. 
My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, 
    and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; 
    you lay me in the dust of death. 
Dogs surround me, 
    a pack of villains encircles me; 
    they pierce my hands and my feet. 
All my bones are on display; 
    people stare and gloat over me. 
They divide my clothes among them 
    and cast lots for my garment. 
But you, Lord, do not be far from me. 
    You are my strength; come quickly to help me.


For Christians, this day is known as Silent Saturday. God is silent on Silent Saturday. Jesus, the one who called out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" is forsaken and left for dead.  
The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, when we remember that we are dust, and to dust we will return. And the day after Good Friday, we sit next to the tomb of Jesus, where his body lies, beaten and crucified.

Silent Saturday is the day we sit with injustice all around the world and recognize that for too many,  it feels as though God is dead. God cannot be found. God cannot be heard. God cannot be seen.

We Christians too quickly rush past Silent Saturday, rush past the forsakenness of the world, rush past those who cannot seem to find God. Kierkegaard called this quietness .... this is what he calls the Sickness unto Death. That is the world for so many. Sickness unto death. We Christians shouldn't rush through Silent Saturday too quickly. Remember that it is still night. The joy comes in the morning.

This week, we have entered into the experience of the disciples. You were with Mary when she washed Jesus’ feet with perfume. You were with John as you sat at the Last Supper. You were with Peter as Jesus washed your feet. You were with Jesus’ mother, Mary, and John, at the cross. I want you to choose one of those disciples and sit with them on this Silent Saturday, and consider what they were feeling and experiencing on this day after Jesus' death two thousand years ago.

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that I, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

More at pickerill.casa

Today is Good Friday of Holy Week.


Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”  

Assist me mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that I may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John, chapter 16.


Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. 
Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: jesus of nazareth, the king of the jews. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.” 
Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.” 
When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 
“Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” 
This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said, 
“They divided my clothes among them 
    and cast lots for my garment.” 
So this is what the soldiers did. 
Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

I’ve been watching the whole time. I was there watching Pilate wring his hands over what to do with him. Watching the soldiers beat him, mock him, spit on him. And with every blow he took I felt was a gut punch to me too. I’m sick to my stomach. All day my heart’s been pounding and head spinning so fast, I hardly know up from down. I'm watching him lose his life and I’m afraid for my life? But somehow, for some reason, I’m still here. Looking up at him. He’s almost unrecognizable to me.
 
Jesus’s head is moving now, he’s looking to see who remains there at the cross, with him. The unrecognizable one is straining to recognize someone. I see him lock eyes with his mother, Mary. I knew she was here, just a few yards away but hadn’t really seen her, really looked at her. Lots of people have cleared out now. But Mary’s still here, and her sister, and Clopas’ wife. And Mary Magdalene, too. And they’re holding on to each other. I can tell they wish they could hold on to him. I don’t see the other disciples, though. Where are they?

And now Jesus sees me too. The one he loves. I see him look at me again with those eyes. I actually can’t believe that he still sees me, but he does. And he does the unthinkable, he speaks to me. And to his mother. First to her, “Woman this is your son.” He’s talking about me. Looks over to me. And then he says, “Here is your mother.” And in this unexpected moment, everything changes for me. In hearing this last wish, this last will, I know what his will is for me. I know to whom I belong, and I know what I am to do. And right now, that’s all I need. 

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that I, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

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Today is Maundy Thursday of Holy week.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.” 

Assist me mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that I may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John, chapter 13.
 

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. 
The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 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. 
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!” 
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 every one was clean. 
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 you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 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.


Today we are here at the Passover meal, the Last Supper. Imagine you are the disciple Peter in this moment, when, in the middle of the meal, Jesus stands up and does something completely unexpected. Without a word, he wraps a towel around his waist, fills a basin with water and kneels down at John's feet and starts washing them. I look at John and then to the others, and everyone has the same look on their faces? Eyes wide with shock. Hands open with a shrug that begs the question, What in the world is he doing? And as I sit quietly and watch him wash the feet of my brothers, over and over again, I feel the anger rising in me. Anger at them, anger at him.

I don't think you understand how wrong this is. Jesus is the Master, the Teacher, the Rabbi. My whole life I've heard the Mishnah, the teaching of the Rabbis, commanding me to be covered in the 'dust of the feet of my master.' I've followed behind him everywhere, covered in his dust. And now he is washing the dust off of me? I am supposed to sit at his feet, and here he sits at mine? By the time he gets to me, I erupt! You're going to wash my feet? Not a chance!

He calmly and knowingly looks at me. He's seen this kind of thing from me before. With a smile Jesus says quietly to me: Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.

Well, wash all of me then, master! And right there, as he knees, I break. He touches my feet and I can't hold back my tears. Through bleary vision I finally see so clearly. On this Maundy Thursday, this mandate Thursday, I finally understand the mandate he’s given me... to serve others like he serves me. This is what it means to love one another.

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that I, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Music: You Give Us Peace - Heaven and Earth - (YouTube)

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

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Today is Wednesday of Holy week.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.” 

Assist me mercifully with your help, O Lord God of our salvation, that I may enter with joy upon the contemplation of those mighty acts, whereby you have given us life and immortality; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
  
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John, chapter 13.
  

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” 
His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.” 
Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, “Lord, who is it?” 
Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. 
So Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night. 
When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.


Here you are with Jesus on the night before his crucifixion and death. But nothing of that is in your mind at the moment. You’ve just finished the Passover meal. Imagine that you are the disciple, John. This is the Gospel he wrote and when he writes about “the disciple whom Jesus loved”, he is speaking in third person about himself. I am the one reclining next to Jesus. I am the one Jesus loves. I am the one who is completely known by him, yet completely secure in his love for me.

But once again there is tension in the room. Not just commotion, there’s always commotion. But tension. This time it’s Jesus. It’s Jesus who is troubled in spirit. We can all feel it. But I’m not sure how I feel about that. Jesus is the steady one. The rock. The voice of reason and truth. And now he speaks of betrayal. And now he speaks again in riddle. And as I watch him dip the bread in the bowl and hand it to Judas, I feel a mixture of concern, and conviction, and care for this one who cares so much for me.
 
But when Judas leaves there is once again peace. And words of glory, glory, glory, glory, glory. Five times he speaks of glory. And once again, I am brought back to the magnificence, the honor, the majesty, the worth, the loveliness, the grandeur of this man Jesus. Yes, he is one like me but he is so much more than one like me. He is so other than me. And the only way to describe him is glory.   

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that I, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Music: Have Mercy - Heaven and Earth - (YouTube)

Be Still: Daily Devotional with Eric and Julia Pickerill.
Originally produced at Vineyard Columbus and republished by permission.

Subscribe: Apple https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-still-daily-devotional/id1662156224 | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1vRcmmVmxUU579ZsOFcT1X | Amazon https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c57a529f-db23-427f-87fb-e01cb8ca6b78

More at pickerill.casa