Do You Understand The Power Of Humility In Motivating Others?
Good Morning Friends,
Today we read scripture about the love of Christ shed in our hearts so that the Holy Spirit might guide us when it is right time to be the washers of feet. The thing is that there are a lot of unintended consequences related to such activity if it is done for the wrong reasons. It is such a personal thing opened up to a group dynamic. It is about setting the stage for confession and repentance. And the power is in the hands of the foot washer but is also being shared. For the most part I wash my own feet and frankly would find it unnerving for someone to be washing mine. But here is the point. No task is beneath Jesus and it is wrong to not allow God into what the world considers menial and what in reality is a very personal aspect of our lives. It is very rarely done in Presbyterian Churches for I am told people tend to want to go out in advance and get pedicures defeating the purpose of the activity in the first place. And the other thing is that allowing someone to wash your feet means giving up control and that is a hard, hard thing for many of us. Still it is part of the reading of this day and we need to learn what Jesus is teaching and its relevance for us. So on this day… this Maundy Thursday story tells of Jesus teaching by example the power of servanthood. And so I ask you: Do You Understand The Power Of Humility In Motivating Others?
Scripture: Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.” After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for 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 set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
John 13:1-17 (NRSV)
Message: Today’s Bible story is one of the most memorable incidents of Passion Week. It was the night before Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion. It is a very sad and somber time. Jesus’ public ministry had ended so the intensity of the time was now turned in fullness to the disciples. As they gathered for dinner it was customary for a servant to wash the guest’s feet as they entered the house. This makes a lot of sense because who wants to clean up a bunch of tracked dirt. The food had been cooked… the table set… the water and the basin were there but where was the servant to wash the dirty feet of the disciples? Who will volunteer? Who will willingly serve? Who will justify in their own mind why it is their job? Who will put aside their desire to have others pay attention to what God is doing in their lives and intentionally love? It is Jesus! Really in this setting He is the one who is worthy. He gets up and takes off his outer garment and wraps a towel around his waist, pours water in a basin and shows them the power of recognizing a need and meeting it. Jesus took the appropriate action. He began the process. He started because Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. He knew he was going to die but his focus and interest was on others. John wants us to see that Jesus is concerned that the disciples be prepared for what is about to happen. John wants us to see that Jesus was not ignorant of the glory and authority that the Father had given him, but that none of that produced pride in his heart. Instead we see Jesus coming to us. We see Jesus loving us. We see Jesus receiving us and meeting our needs. This transaction has to be real…not a demonstration of a socially required expectation…but motivated out of love for a purpose that is meeting a present need. No task was beneath Jesus. We should learn from the teacher.
Pray that we prepare by repenting. Pray that we act when the time is right to meet a need of the whole. Pray we are obedient to Jesus realizing that we do not have a better idea. Pray we are secure in who we are. Pray we be willing to wash the feet of our enemies. Pray we understand what Jesus does for us that we are not worthy to do. Pray that our thinking and character is transformed. Pray that we receive the blessing so that we might bless others. Pray we share power. Pray we give control to Jesus.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 