John 13:5 (NASB) Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
It can be very difficult to love someone that you do not particularly like. On the way to work, they were discussing this very thing on the radio. The DJs and callers were making some profound points and today’s writing is a compilation of some of those thoughts.
In John 13 is being described Jesus’ display of love, service and humility for His disciples. I’d never given this much thought, but Judas Iscariot, Jesus’ betrayer was among those being served by the Lord. The reason that’s important is, Jesus knows the treachery that resides in Judas’ heart. He knows what Judas will do shortly, yet He serves Him, loves Him all the same.
That is a hard thing to do, isn’t it? We want to focus on the things we don’t like about someone, or things they have done to hurt us, instead of focusing on loving each other despite those things.
One of the things mentioned by a caller was the importance to pray, not that God would change the one we have issue with, but rather, pray that God would change our heart and how we perceive and receive that person. Bottom line is, we all have failings, short comings and sin in our life. We all have reasons for another to have issue with us. We all have reasons for Jesus to have issue with us, but He doesn’t. He focuses on loving us. And, when freely received and recognized, that love is what will change us. That love is what will lead us to exemplify it in our own lives to those who don’t “deserve it”. That love will lead to a change in those who receive and recognize it from us, in an endless wave upon wave of God’s glory washing through humanity.
Oh… if only we could all learn and live that lesson! Have a blessed weekend.
John 13:12-14, 34, 35 So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet… 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
In full pursuit of the greatest Trophy,
Scott Pace
