The Teacher had a special group of students, men whom he had poured three years of his life into as they had lived life together. There was nothing about those students he did not know, their strengths as well as their weaknesses, and how they would react under pressure. Yet he loved them and always would.
Time was short. Not much longer would he be able to impart to them what he wanted them to know. Home was calling him back.
So, they had one last supper together. The Teacher knew that one had already decided to betray him, yet he treated him the same as all the rest. It was meant to be.
After supper, the Teacher stood up and got a towel, basin and pitcher. He wrapped the towel around his waist and then knelt down, and one by one, he placed each student's feet in the basin, scrubbed the foot and then, much like a mother would do, propped the foot on his knee, drying it with the towel that was still wrapped around his waist. What an intimate humbling act for a teacher to do!
That rascally student, Peter, who was always quick with a retort, spoke in wonder, "Do YOU wash my feet?
The Teacher smiled and said, "I know you don't understand now, but one day you will."
Peter insisted, "Teacher, you will never wash MY feet."
The Teacher replied that if he couldn't wash Peter's feet, then Peter could have no part in the Teacher's ministry.
Always one to go "whole hog", Peter did an about-face and wanted the Teacher to wash his head and hands. The Teacher said there was no need for that. They were all clean and only needed their feet washed - well, except for one ...
When all twelve students' feet were washed, the Teacher put away the towel, basin and pitcher and putting back on his robe, he sat down again in his place.
All their eyes looked at him expectantly. "Do you understand what I did?" he asked them.
"You all look to me as your Teacher, as well you should. What I just did is an example for you. You should wash each other's feet, just like I did yours. A student is not greater than his Teacher. You should always do like you've seen me do."
The greatest Teacher who ever lived, and will live forever, is Jesus. He came and did life with us for 33 years. While He was here, He taught us about what is important, and what's not.
That rascally student, Peter, who was always quick with a retort, spoke in wonder, "Do YOU wash my feet?
The Teacher smiled and said, "I know you don't understand now, but one day you will."
Peter insisted, "Teacher, you will never wash MY feet."
The Teacher replied that if he couldn't wash Peter's feet, then Peter could have no part in the Teacher's ministry.
Always one to go "whole hog", Peter did an about-face and wanted the Teacher to wash his head and hands. The Teacher said there was no need for that. They were all clean and only needed their feet washed - well, except for one ...
When all twelve students' feet were washed, the Teacher put away the towel, basin and pitcher and putting back on his robe, he sat down again in his place.
All their eyes looked at him expectantly. "Do you understand what I did?" he asked them.
"You all look to me as your Teacher, as well you should. What I just did is an example for you. You should wash each other's feet, just like I did yours. A student is not greater than his Teacher. You should always do like you've seen me do."
~~~
The greatest Teacher who ever lived, and will live forever, is Jesus. He came and did life with us for 33 years. While He was here, He taught us about what is important, and what's not.
He taught with words, lecturing in places like synagogues, boat decks and mountaintops. He also taught by example, always willing to bless and to heal, letting the crowds come to Him with their overwhelming needs, always putting others first and somehow finding time to spend alone with His Father.
On that fateful foot-washing night long ago, the Teacher gave a new commandment to apply to the life of anyone who calls themselves one of His students:
Students, let's follow His example.
On that fateful foot-washing night long ago, the Teacher gave a new commandment to apply to the life of anyone who calls themselves one of His students:
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
Students, let's follow His example.
~~~
Today is Maundy Thursday, the day we celebrate Jesus and His disciples having a Last Supper sharing bread and wine for the final time this side of heaven.
What does Maundy mean? Having come from a discipline that celebrates Easter, but not Holy Week so much, I did not know the definition of Maundy. It turns out Maundy means "commandment" or "mandate" in the original language.
The mandate for the believer is clear: love one another.
I have to believe in the midst of our fast-paced every-day lives, He has called us to live out loving each other.
I have to believe in the midst of our fast-paced every-day lives, He has called us to live out loving each other.
This calling can be tough to do. We are all too busy, too wrapped up in navigating the challenging times we live in.
Or is it?
The early church lived in tumultous times as well. They faced persecution - not just ridicule for their beliefs as it is today for anyone who dares to believe something outside of what is culturally accepted - but they ran the risk of torture and death.
It's kind of hard to think of other's needs when you're in survival mode.
Yet, they were successful in building community.
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— Acts. 2:42-46 NLT
How do we know they were successful? Acts 2:47 goes on to tell us this:
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. - Acts 2:47 NASB 1995
A generous spirit and a life of praise will give you favor in the sight of others. Oh, may we live life together like the early church!
~~ adapted from an earlier post
Sharing at Grace at Home
I learned about Maundy Thursday as a young girl and just love this post because it's so like what my thoughts and prayers have been this past week. Love one another. So simple. But some just can't seem to grasp this 2nd great command.
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