“So when He had finished washing their feet and had put on His garments and had sat down again, He said to them, Do you understand what I have done to you?
You call Me the Teacher (Master) and the Lord, and you are right in doing so, for that is what I am.
If I then, your Lord and Teacher (Master), have washed your feet, you ought [it is your duty, you are under obligation, you owe it] to wash one another’s feet.
For I have given you this as an example, so that you should do [in your turn] what I have done to you.
I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, A servant is not greater than his master, and no one who is sent is superior to the one who sent him.
If you know these things, blessed and happy and to be envied are you if you practice them [if you act accordingly and really do them]
.” John 13: 12-17 (AMP)
While I was at work today someone was telling us about a woman who kept a book of offenses. Every time someone did something to her that she didn’t like, she would write it down and when given the opportunity would lay it to their charge, and get even. Being in an advantageous position in a school, she had the opportunity to get even with quite a few! Tragically she died of a heart attack.
This was not suprising to me. I’ve been young (and prone to attacks of wanting to get even) and now I’m older and if there is one thing I’ve learned – it’s not worth it! When I’m tempted to want to get even with someone because my righteous indignation rises up – I tell myself quickly – LET IT GO! Real liberty is learning to be free of iniquity – real freedom is recognizing that there is no one or nothing that is worth carrying an offense!
Jesus goes one better here. He knew that He was about to be betrayed and at his darkest hour, during His greatest test -on the eve of this, He took the time to wash each of His disciples feet – even His betrayer! And true to His ministry till the end, He saw this as a teachable moment – and gently explained to them why He did what He did. In a perfect blend of humility and honor Jesus agreed with His disciplies, that He was the Master -and their Lord – that was just a fact. But Jesus let them know that if He could wash their feet in His postion, that they as servants were no greater than He was – and they owed it to each other to do as He did. And He went one step further in saying that if they could grasp the truth of this decree and really submit to doing it, that they would not only be blessed, but they would be happy!
I happily concur – it’s true!
God Bless You This Lord’s Day!
Maria