Day 44 – Servant

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… He came to Simon Peter who 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!”… After he had washed their feet…he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?... if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet…. 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: 1-6, 8-9, 12, 14, 16-17)

 

“Do you know what I have done for you?” If you take off the outer covering, whatever has been concealed is now revealed: the secret is laid bare. Divine love is humble. It is a way of life in which all is laid down for the love and service of the other. There is no competition, no pecking order or hierarchy. Jesus is giving us a glimpse of heaven. If we want to see Jesus we must look down, not up. He is there kneeling at our feet, washing them. This is a washing we cannot do for ourselves. We must surrender to being ‘done to’; grace must embarrass us. All is prepared for us. This is the only love on offer and it is always found beneath our dignity; beneath our feet, unashamed in the mess and dirt. This is to be our way of life too. It is the way of all blessing.

(Extract from Dust & Glory by David Runcorn)

 For Reflection

Imagine Jesus asking you: “Do you understand what I have done for you?” What is your response?

 Remember in Prayer

Those who serve others in our community – in hospitals, clinics, shops and other service industries which have put others first during the pandemic.