Holy Thursday: A Christian Demonstration of Love

So while they were eating, Jesus stood up and took off his robe. He got a towel and wrapped it around his waist. Then he poured water into a bowl and began to wash the followers’ feet. He dried their feet with the towel that was wrapped around his waist.

He came to Simon Peter. But Peter said to him, “Lord, you should not wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “You don’t know what I am doing now. But later you will understand.”

Peter said, “No! You will never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “If I don’t wash your feet, you are not one of my people.”

. . . . 

When Jesus finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and went back to the table. He asked, “Do you understand what I did for you? You call me ‘Teacher.’ And you call me ‘Lord.’ And this is right, because that is what I am. I am your Lord and Teacher. But I washed your feet. So you also should wash each other’s feet. I did this as an example for you. So you should serve each other just as I served you. (John 13:4-15 ERV)

Jesus, in an act of humility, takes on the role of a slave. He takes each of his disciple’s feet, the filthiest part of their bodies, and cleans them. He does this not as an act of ceremony. Jesus does this to demonstrate a deep truth, one that should resound with every Christian for the past 2000 years, especially modern Christians. He demonstrates the act of deep, self-sacrificing love. A love so deep that he, the Creator of the universe, is willing to take on the role of a Gentile slave and wash the filth from the feet of others.

Peter, in his misinterpretation of Jesus' act, represents the contrast of Christ’s humility. Peter says, “No.” He will not let Jesus be a slave. Peter implies that this work is unfitting of his master. But Jesus reminds him -- he reminds us all -- that being part of Christ is to take on the love of Christ. We must love in a humble, selfless way that lays down our pride and ego and takes up the rags of servitude, even servitude towards our enemies. We cannot forget that Jesus washes the feet of his betrayer, Judas Iscariot. 

As I read this passage, I am reminded of Jesus’ act of humble, self-emptying love. He says that we should not just take notes but follow suit. This is not easy in a world that teaches the opposite. When I think of being a Christian, I need not think about rules to follow or ceremonies to take part in. Too often we get it wrong and focus on these things. Instead, I need to emulate my Master and love others in a way that sheds the judgment and false outward appeal of piety: I need to love with self-emptying humility, following Jesus’ example. But often I am like Peter, full of my own pride and egotism.

Lord help me today and every day, to love more like you. I Christ I pray, amen.

True Love is the Most Difficult Kind

[Jesus said,] “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

Jesus tells his closest circle to love each other. It is the summation of Jesus’ teaching; love of the other is at the core of all his actions. And Jesus demonstrates the highest form of love, agape, a love of self-sacrifice, when he tells Judas to begin what must be done, his betrayal which will lead to his ignominious death. 

Jesus, therefore, is not just telling us to be people of love. He is, instead, demonstrating the highest form of love, giving his human and divine life for each of us. We should never forget or overlook this: Jesus loves us so much that he dies for the undeserving, and all of us are undeserving. 

Jesus died through the most condemning means possible at the time. He was charged as a criminal, tortured, and hung naked on a cross for all to see. He asphyxiated slowly while the public watched, including his own mother. There is no easy death, but a death of wrongful accusation, ignominy, and torture is among the worse. And we should never forget that God willingly suffered it for each of us, even the Judas Isacriots of the world. 

Jesus commands, “Love one another. As I have loved you. . .” In other words, we are to love with abandon, love without limit, and love until it hurts. Our love, then, Jesus says, is the characteristic that defines us as Christians to “everyone.” 

Agape is a tall order; isn’t it? And I am quite bad at it, too. I tend to be selfish, a wimp, and lazy. Just ask my wife. However, there is hope for broken people like me, for we can’t do it alone. It is only through God’s grace that all things, even self-sacrificial love, are made possible.  

Loving Father,
I pray that your grace infuse us with the strength to love without abandon. In Jesus' name, amen.

Peace,
Stan

The Truth

To the [the Jewish religious leaders] who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Faith is not something that comes easy or cheap, and it certainly cannot be achieved; it is a gift of grace freely given. We cannot forget God's grace in this, but accepting God's gift is also a choice. 

The religious leaders have the opportunity to listen to Jesus and either reject or accept his teaching. Some accept it. And for those who do, Jesus gives clear instructions: He tells them to follow his example and word. And in that they will be living and embracing the truth. Jesus, we cannot forget, is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). The "truth," then, is not a set of instructions or laws; it is not a set of practices or piety. The "truth" is Jesus himself, all that he says and exemplifies. The truth, moreover, is to be a person of mercy, love, and self-sacrifice. This is no easy feat and cannot be accomplished on our own. All we can do, really, is say, "Yes!" God's grace does the rest. And it is through that grace that we can not only acknowledge the truth but to live in the truth. 

Lord Jesus, please guide us in your way, truth, and life. Amen.