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. John 13:1-5 NIV
It was Thursday night of the week we have come to call Holy Week. After a night of trial and abuse the next morning, He would be nailed to a cross. He knew it. He had known this was why He came. But as the time approached, during the high-stakes final week of His life, Jesus was not controlled by pressure but directed by purpose. Jesus displayed remarkable "margin,” despite His imminent death. How did He do that? How can we?
The week started with the entry into Jerusalem when the people were praising Him and the Jewish leaders were hating Him. But Jesus pulled away from both groups. He prioritized going to the Bethany home of His friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, for rest. He took time for Himself and for them. He cared for His own needs and cared for His friends’ needs as well, knowing their hearts would soon be broken.
When I think about what I would do if I knew this would be my last week, I know it would be tempting to feverishly run around and do “all the things” and accomplish more. Not Jesus. On Tuesday He engaged in deep relational teaching on love, forgiveness, and the Kingdom with a few instead of high intensity crowds. He withdrew for intimacy with His Father. He didn’t feel a need to control everything or be controlled. The crowds wanted Him to teach and heal, but He withdrew. He saw the greed and corruption of the money changers in the Temple. He knew they were thwarting the purpose of the temple courts, so He took a strong stand and drove them out. But He didn’t stick around and control their ongoing behavior.
They knew what was right and wrong. He didn’t hang out at the Temple to see if they set up their tables again after they thought He was gone. He had a calm, unhurried and trusting demeanor all week long. He had obeyed the Father every moment. It was now time to die, and that’s all He had left to do. When He came to the night before His death, He was able to wash His disciples’ feet, even the feet of the one He knew would betray Him in a matter of hours. He was not driven by pressure. He maintained margin that kept Him tethered to His purpose. That can mark His followers too.
- Jesus was able to manage incredible pressure without sinning or backing down. Directed by His purpose, He made the margin to trust and obey the Father.