Friday September 4, 2015

Read John 13:1-17       

Almost 14 years to the day, in 2001 the world saw the ugly side of humanity as terrorism reared its ugly head. Two millennia earlier, the world witnessed the beautiful side of God as a single man washed the feet of 12 others. Hatred is repulsive. Love is magnetic. Real practical love is magnetic. People come back again and again and again when they feel loved and valued.

As Jesus dined with the disciples, celebrating the Jewish Passover and his Last Supper, He demonstrated the full extent of His love for them. As the meal was being served Jesus arose, wrapped a towel around Himself and washed the feet of the disciples.

The event is astounding for many reasons. Most obviously, the foot washing job was reserved for those who were unacceptable in Jewish society. Households would often hire non-Jews to wash feet as it was such a menial job. Some houses would provide water for self-washing but stooping to wash another’s feet was unheard of. Also if you read verse 2 and 11 and John 13:30 (well after the foot washing) you realise that Judas the betrayer was also among those who received a foot washing. Jesus humbly knelt and washed and dried the feet of the one who would soon stab Him in the back, even though He knew exactly what Judas had planned to do. Finally the episode shows us that we cannot have any part with Jesus unless He wash us clean of sin. That cleansing comes not by presenting our feet to Jesus but by presenting to Him our heart, by repenting and believing in Him.

Jesus then tells us that if we love Him we will do what He has done. We will be blessed if we do the things He has shown us. That may mean washing each other’s feet but it may mean something else. Foot washing was a cultural necessity in the sandal wearing culture of Israel. Humble love could take a multitude of forms in our congregations. It could include giving gift packs or food hampers to the needy. It might involve making tea and coffee for those who are needy. It might mean allowing someone to cry on your shoulder or helping someone clean, cook and iron. It’s not the foot washing in and of itself that Jesus promoted but humble, other centred love and service.

Whatever form love takes we must remember that Jesus-honouring love is first and foremost honouring to God. Secondly it is intended to bless and help others. Thirdly it is dependent upon the needs of the other rather than on our wisdom, our desires or our thoughts on what’s best for that person.

If our congregations are willing to demonstrate the full extent of our love for each other then our congregations would probably grow exponentially. Not only would we see absenteeism dropping to all-time lows but we’d see more and more new people coming in to see what this Jesus character is really all about. Genuine other centred love can’t be hidden. It can’t be squashed. It can’t be quashed. Genuine other centred love spreads like wildfire.

Prayer:

Using today’s Bible passage and notes write down points for

Adoration:

Confession

Thanks

Supplication:

· Pray that your congregation would be a congregation that shows real genuine love to each other and to the world. Pray that the world would see clearly the love of Jesus in your congregation.

· Pray that the congregation would express this love this Lord’s Day and that those who don’t believe in Him or continue to reject Him would bow the knee and confess Him as Lord of their own lives.

 

 Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. Why is love so attractive?

2. Why is love so transformative in others?

3. How can we grow Jesus-honouring love in our congregations?