Love One Another

Good Morning, Loved Ones,

Today, on Holy Thursday, we look for ways to follow Jesus on the day of his betrayal.

John 13 (The Message)

Washing His Disciples' Feet

^1-2 Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that the time had come to leave this world to go to the Father. Having loved his dear companions, he continued to love them right to the end. It was suppertime. The Devil by now had Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, firmly in his grip, all set for the betrayal.

^3-6Jesus knew that the Father had put him in complete charge of everything, that he came from God and was on his way back to God. So he got up from the supper table, set aside his robe, and put on an apron. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with his apron. When he got to Simon Peter, Peter said, "Master, you wash my feet?"

⁷Jesus answered, "You don't understand now what I'm doing, but it will be clear enough to you later."

⁸Peter persisted, "You're not going to wash my feet—ever!"

Jesus said, "If I don't wash you, you can't be part of what I'm doing."

⁹"Master!" said Peter. "Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!"

^10-12Jesus said, "If you've had a bath in the morning, you only need your feet washed now and you're clean from head to toe. My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene. So now you're clean. But not every one of you." (He knew who was betraying him. That's why he said, "Not every one of you.") After he had finished washing their feet, he took his robe, put it back on, and went back to his place at the table.

^12-17Then he said, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as 'Teacher' and 'Master,' and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other's feet. I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do. I'm only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn't give orders to the employer. If you understand what I'm telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.

How do we follow One who is going where we cannot go? How do we follow One who gives his life for the whole world? The disciples wanted to follow Jesus. But Jesus knew they could not follow where he was going. So he gives them an example of how to follow him. Then he gives them a commandment which calls for a new kind of leadership. Jesus calls us to become leaders who serve. In Jesus' day the Master did not wash the feet of the disciple. Once again, Jesus turns our expectations, our relationships upside down. Jesus knows that his betrayal is only moments away. He even is aware that Peter, his rock of a disciple will deny him. Peter and the disciples, even Judas, needed to be purified. Even as the worst approached, Jesus was looking for ways to serve and instruct his disciples. Even as the forces of chaos and death appear to have the upper hand, Jesus shows that "the Father has put him in complete charge of everything." I Thank God that Jesus has given us a new commandment: ^34-35"Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other."

On this Maundy/Holy Thursday, let's give thanks and try to follow Jesus' instructions.

The Peace of Christ be with you all this Holy Week,

Pastor Rick
http://gimmecinco.blogspot.com

Don't forget this week's schedule:
Potluck/Seder/Communion - Thursday - 6:30 pm (please bring a side dish to share)
Stations of the Cross - Good Friday - Noon - Washington Park on the north side of Crown Center (Sponsored by Holy Family Catholic Worker House)
Deacons and Elders meeting - Saturday - 3:30 pm (Please be in prayer and fasting for this meeting)
Sunrise Service - Sunday - Begins at 6:30 at Huron Park behind the downtown KCK library (Bring a chair)
Easter Breakfast - 8 am after the sunrise service (Cooked by the men of the church)
Sunday School - 9:45 am
Easter Sunday service - 11 am (No lunch after worship)