April 1st - Reflection

Reading
Maundy Thursday
John 13:1-17, 31b-35 (NRSV)
The service of Christ: footwashing and meal

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. ...

"Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.' I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Reflection
Jesus knew what was about to happen in his life and the life of his disciples and the lives of all people to come. Jesus knew that he was King of Kings. Jesus knew that he would suffer and die and rise again. But the reality of all of this had not quite yet occurred. Reality of Jesus' love was about the be displayed before all the world for all time.

Jesus knew that what was about to happen made him a servant of God. Jesus knew that he was sent to take on the servant of man and die for sin. Jesus knew his mission well. Jesus knew that we must take on this same character of servant. Jesus knew that we must love one another as he loved us. Jesus knew, Jesus acted and Jesus showed the power of the love of God right in front of us.

Jesus knew that we would gather at his feet some day in a union of powerful Love. And Jesus wants us to gather at the feet of each other and display this Love that he has shown to each one of us.

By this you will know that you are my disciples...if you have love one for another.

Prayer
Lord, you have taught and I have listened...I go this day to serve in love. --- Amen