John 13:12-17 - So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his
garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done
to you? Ye call me Master and Lord:
and ye say well; for so I am. If
I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought
to wash one another's feet. For I
have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is
not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that
sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do
them.
John took the time to record a moment in the life of the
disciples that none of them were expecting. It should have been a servant…a
hired slave…the lowest level of culture that was known to the Jews…not the
mighty Messiah they were waiting to take over the throne and make them all
assistants. He washed every foot and gave them a final lesson in
servant hood….showing them once again that humility is key to a deep relationship
with God.
What struck me the most about this scene that John painted
for me was the fact that Jesus felt the heart of every foot he washed. He felt Judas’ attitude that Jesus needed a
push to cross over from a ministry position into kingship. Jesus knew that satan had convinced Judas
that turning Jesus in would expedite His taking over of the throne. He felt Peter’s fear of repercussions if he
kept his bold promise to die with Him. He
saw every disciples’ reason for deserting Him that night as he washed their
feet and showed His deep love for them….despite the way they hurt Him with
their thoughts.
Oh how I must hurt Jesus…hurt God…hurt the Holy Spirit with
some of the thoughts the Trinity encounters each day from my heart. And despite
how many times…how many ways I disappoint Him…God is ready at any moment to
love me…deeper than anyone else has ever loved me before. I think of the latest
blessing he has granted me…to be a part of watching another one of my children
father a child. To see the love Aaron has for this new life God put into his
life reminds me of the way Aaron took my breath away from the deep love I felt when I was
blessed with him. That is the way God feels about every life that is born…fearfully
and wonderfully made…a marvel to behold in God’s enormous world.
And just one more thing this morning. Jesus ended that foot washing session with a
charge to all of us to be servants ….to the degree that he was a servant….which
I admit quickly is easier said than done.
We are no greater than the Lord that gave us life….and I need to remember
that more often when satan comes trying to trick me into making selfish
decisions that help no one but myself. I need to remember that God’s plan to
prosper me will prosper everyone else around me if I am truly in His will.
Father….thank you for the reminder that you love me deeper
than my mind can ever fathom. You made
me and looked down on my creation as a perfect gift that I marred with sin. Thank you for the gift of salvation that
washed me clean once again…so I could experience your perfect love once
again. Forgive me for all the times that
I took your love for granted and hurt you.
Help me to internalize the charge he gave us all to be a servant…even
when I feel the hurt from proverbial sticks and stones and words that are
constantly hurled at my heart. Amen.
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