"Blessed are the Meek..."
Matt. 5:5
As we have been looking at the beatitudes, we have talked about the Meekness of Jesus, our Messiah. He is the one we look to. Our hope should is to be found in His image. Yes found in His image, transformed from our flawed human nature to His glorious nature. In our reading today lets look on at Jesus' last meal with His disciples. He knew this was His last time with them, so everything He says and does is full of meaning for them and us, who love Him today. In this private evening with them, He demonstrated His meekness in a very powerful way.
"It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love. The evening meal was being served... Jesus... got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.
When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. 'Do you understand what I have done for you? You call Me Teacher and Lord,and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will blessed if you do them.'" John 13:1-17 NIV
What a beautiful picture, but more profoundly; that the God of the universe would come to earth as a vulnerable baby... live among people, and in His final days, He would assume the role of a household servant and wash their dirty feet. Jesus knew who He was. He understood the authority that God had given Him and that He was returning to His Father very soon. Their meal together was private, there were no servants there. Yet none of the disciples volunteered to perform this customary and much needed role for their brothers in the faith. In doing this, Jesus set an example for His disciples. The memory of this selfless act is a picture for us today as well, of what humility and selfless service looks like. There is no task too menial to meet another's need if we esteem one another more highly than esteem ourselves. Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him. Knowing this, He washed His betrayers feet along with His friends. He lived His own words,
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbors and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in Heaven... If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as Your heavenly Father is perfect." Matt. 5:43-48 NIV
Little did His disciples realize that night as He washed their feet in humble meekness, what would follow so very soon. In their final moments together this evening, Judas came into the olive grove with Roman soldiers and temple guards... their torches and lanterns blazing; and weapons ready to squelch any resistance. They arrested Jesus and took Him away. In John 13 it says "He now showed them the full extent of His love"NIV. This love was further demonstrated the next day when Jesus' arms were extended and nailed on the cross. In this He fulfilled His final act of servant hood for humanity. It was on the cross that He showed the full extent of His love.
"God demonstrated His own love toward us
in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8
Today as I did a few small edits to this post written a decade ago, I reflect on the huge changes in our culture since then and in my own heart as well. I find both lacking in comparison with this message. Now, the Huhan Corona Virus has struck our country and everything is shutting down to prevent the spread of this very contagious virus. People are losing their jobs, businesses are closing and the stock market has experienced catastrophic losses. I wonder if and when we will recover. In the meantime, we can serve one another. Though our finances may be in tatters we can be rich in love and service toward one another. March 20, 2020
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