Infinitum Lent JourneySample

Today we consider Jesus & Surrender in the context of Lent.

Today, we will engage in some ‘divine reading’ (Lectio Divina). This is our Infinitum take on the old discipline of ‘divine reading.’ Remember, we are gazing through the lenses of Jesus & Surrender.

First Movement: Peruse. Peruse means ’read (something), typically in a thorough or careful way.’ Before you start, ask the Lord to open the eyes of your heart for this exercise and then read slowly, curiously, and aggressively.

“Before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

Now when it was time for supper, the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray him. Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, that he had come from God, and that he was going back to God. So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around himself. Next, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who asked him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus answered him, “What I’m doing you don’t realize now, but afterward you will understand.”

“You will never wash my feet,” Peter said.

Jesus replied, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”

Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.”

“One who has bathed,” Jesus told him, “doesn’t need to wash anything except his feet, but he is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” For he knew who would betray him. This is why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

The Meaning of Foot Washing
When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them,

“Do you know what I have done for you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you.

“Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” (CSB)

Second Movement: Weigh. Here are contextual synonyms: consider · contemplate · think about · give thought to · entertain the idea of · deliberate about · turn over in one’s mind · mull over · reflect on · ruminate about · muse on · assess · appraise. Don’t rush this movement.

Third Movement: Ask. Ask God to confirm or clarify bits you’ve been chewing on and to enlighten you on things you missed that he has for you. In this movement, you might profitably ask about lessons and tips God has from this reading for you in the realm of surrender, generosity, and mission.

Fourth Movement: Muse. Muse—“be absorbed in thought… gaze thoughtfully at”—is a verb synonym of the Latin word ‘contempatio.’ From Google, “The word contemplation is derived from the Latin word ‘contemplatio,’ ultimately from the Latin word ‘templum,’ a piece of ground consecrated for the taking of auspices, or a building for worship.” So, in a sense, we are to recognize that we are on holy ground in this exercise (note further that ‘auspices’ means ’a divine or prophetic token’).

Fifth Movement: Activate. Apply what you have picked up (this might take the rest of the day… or the rest of your life).