Todays Scripture- John 13:1-20 (full passage at the bottom of the page)
5 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. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.
Our three year old granddaughter joins our staff for midday prayers on Thursdays. She holds the blue book, bows her head, mouths words she doesn’t understand and wholeheartedly sings songs she doesn’t know. Finally, we hold her hair back while she blows out the candle after we say amen. While she doesn’t have to understand the meaning of the scriptures, prayers and songs, she understands the language of love. She knows what she feels from the people in the room. She is following an example that is led by love. Love can be trusted.
Jesus led by love. In today’s passage, Jesus is asking his friends to follow his example even though they don’t fully understand. One thing they did understand is that they were loved by Jesus. Jesus is saying you can trust love, follow love, and if you do others will understand.
Follow the the example given to us by Jesus. Use the 3G practice
Give in – let God love you. Take time with the scripture passage. Feel the leadership of God’s love.
Give up – needing to understand everything, before you do something..
Give out – the example of Jesus love to someone who doesn’t understand.
Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet
John 13 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. 2 The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5 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. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 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.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 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? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16 Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfill the scripture, ‘The one who ate my bread[e] has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he.[f] 20 Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.”