January 13 / John 13

As I ponder the thirteenth chapter of the Gospel of John, I have mixed emotions.  It is as if I am eves dropping in on a very intimate time in the life of Jesus and His twelve chosen men.  It is of the same importance, as ‘hearing the last words’ of a departing loved one.  Last words are always lasting words; at least they are for me, very personal and very private yet we are privy to hear them.  Jesus is preparing Himself and His Disciples for His imminent death.

I find it impossible to imagine the silenced emotions felt by different ones in that upstairs room.  Jesus, Son of Man, knowing He will soon be mercilessly suffering for an unrighteous sinner such as I.  Peter rebuking God for making Himself an example for me to follow.  Judas being aware that he had betrayed his best Friend of the past three years or so.  (For what - about a month’s wages.) And then the rest of the disciples trying to read the faces of one another to decipher what in the world was happening.

Jesus’ head is prepared, vss. 1-3.  He knew His death was imminent, vs.1.  He knew who would betray Him, vs.2; and He knew He had finished the work He had come to do up to this point.  Only one more event was left, His sacrifice for us.

Jesus’ hands were prepared, vss. 4-11.  With basin and towel in hand, He had one last act of servant-hood to perform to help His disciples understand their role as His example of service.

Jesus’ heart was prepared, vss. 12-20.  Having washed their feet, even the feet of His betrayer, He relaxed with the twelve hand picked Apostle/missionary servants and charged them to become foot-washers – servants - as He had just demonstrated, see vs. 15.

Now, What steps do I need to take to be counted worthy of being a missionary of the Gospel of Christ Jesus?  How can I prepare my head, hands and heart to become a worthy servant?  Maybe I should start right where the disciples started, by being willing to wash feet. 

Just had a thought.  I can use my head to think of the most unlikely people I could serve, perhaps in some unlikely way.  I can use my hands to make a list of those people and ask God for a heart of love for them.  I can follow that by asking God to give me an opportunity to demonstrate His love for them, even in the most menial of tasks.  I can call it, ‘random acts of foot washing’.  No need of ‘thanks’ now; I’ll pick up any rewards later.  Hearing Him say, “well done” will be plenty rewarding for me.

Don