pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

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Do as I Do

Reading: John 13:12-17 and 34-35

John 13:15 – “I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do.”

Photo credit: Felipe Correia

After washing the disciples’ feet, all twelve pairs, Jesus returns to the table. He asks them, “Do you know what I’ve done for you?” Jesus is not going for “washed our feet.” Acknowledging his role as Teacher and Lord, he calls them to also be willing to wash each other’s feet. A disciple was to model the sacrifices made by their teacher, to follow their example. Jesus reiterates this cultural norm when he says, “I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do.” Do as I do.

Now, this is just an example. Foot washing isn’t the only act of service Jesus calls his disciples to. He intentionally chose the lowest, most menial task in their present setting to illustrate his call to serving one another. We will all face unpleasant, menial, low-level tasks and situations. Will we humbly and willingly choose to serve or will we look around to see who we can force to do said task…? Jesus says: do as I do.

Jesus then elevates the call as we get to verses 34-35. I, you, we can go through the motions. We can do the hard thing when others are watching. Here Jesus calls his disciples to an always command to “love one another.” Fleshing this command out, he says, “Just as I have loved you, so you must love one another.” His love was unconditional covenant love. It is a love that remains committed and obedient no matter what. Of this kind of love, Jesus says, do as I do. May it be so.

Prayer: Lord God, it would be easier to just kinda love like you love. Maybe we could pick and choose? Oh, but you loved Judas. You washed his feet, just like the rest. And Peter’s too. If there were any not to pick that night… Lord, help us to do as you do, to love as you love. Guide us to live out the love that you modeled 24/7. Help us to love this way. Amen.


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More Is Better

Reading: John 13:1-9

John 13:7 – “Jesus replied, ‘You don’t understand what I’m doing now, but you will understand later.”

The scene today is the celebration of the Passover meal. Present are Jesus and the twelve disciples. This is the fourth time in four weeks that we’ve read about this night. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke the focus is on the sharing of the bread and the cup, on the establishment of the new covenant. In all three the story then moves to the garden and on to arrest. In John’s gospel there is no bread or cup. John places the meal about half way through his story. Much is spoken by Jesus before his arrest happens in John 19. This is but one example of John’s disregard for time and historical sequence.

As chapter 13 begins we see that Jesus’ knows that “his time had come to leave this world.” Ever the one to love and serve, Jesus leaves the disciples one more tangible example of both. The meal is under way. Jesus knows that Judas will betray him. Jesus gets up, takes off his robes, and begins washing and drying the disciples’ feet. There is great symbolism in Jesus’ act. Taking off his robes is symbolic of taking off divinity to dwell in the flesh. Kneeling and performing this lowly, menial task is symbolic of how we are to serve others. The washing itself is symbolic of baptism, where our sins are washed away.

When Jesus comes to Peter, he protests. Jesus replies, “You don’t understand what I’m doing now, but you will understand later.” We also experience this is our faith journeys. Only later, through prayer or study or through the Holy Spirit’s presence do we come to understand what Jesus did for us. After some back and forth, the all-in Peter asks Jesus to wash his hands and feet too. If a little Jesus is good, more is better. While this is true, often it is only later that we, like Peter, truly understand what it is that we are asking for.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you first for the call to love and serve. It is who and what we are called to be as followers of Jesus. Grant us the courage and the willingness to do even the lowest things in our efforts to love and serve the other. And, Lord, lead us to seek to be more and more like Jesus. Empower us to do whatever you place before us. Amen.


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The Fruit of a Long Walk

‭Psalm 69:13 – “God, in your great and faithful love, answer me with your certain salvation!”

We begin today with Psalm 69, a prayer for the persecuted. The psalmist has been hard-pressed for a long time. His or her enemies are “countless.” The psalmist’s passion for God has created this conflict with these enemies. This same faith leads to this prayer: “God, in your great and faithful love, answer me with your certain salvation!” In our times of need of rescue, this is a great prayer to pray. The psalmist also prays for the enemies downfall. This was not uncommon then, and if we’re honest, isn’t uncommon now. In the Old Testament, though, God was often violent against Israel’s enemies. To pray for that was very much in line with their understanding and experience with God.

Psalm 70 is also a prayer for deliverance – for immediate deliverance! Hurry, hurry, hurry God! Shame and humiliate my oppressors. Hurry God – I’m poor and needy. Help, deliver me. Psalm 71 continues the cry for deliverance. The perspective has shifted. The psalmist is now old. Time has brought a more steady trust in God. Depending on God “from birth” leads to hope and to the psalmist proclaiming God’s righteous acts. Life has brought the psalmist “many troubles and calamities,” yes, but because of their long relationship with God, the author can confidently state that God “will revive me once more.” This too is the fruit of our long walk with God.

Psalm 72 is a fitting close to the Psalms of David. It even ends with “The prayers of David, Jesse’s son, are ended.” This Psalm seeks God’s blessings on the king and on the poor and needy. This Psalm is a beautiful expression of the fact that God’s love, God’s care, God’s protection, God’s provision, God’s everything, reaches from the highest to the very lowest. May our love, care, protection, provision… do the same.

Prayer: Lord God, great is your love and faithfulness! Your love knows no limits and your faithfulness endures forever. You care for all of creation and you call us to do the same. As we receive your love, care, protection, provision… may we generously and abundantly offer these to one another – all one anothers. Doing so, we will build your kingdom here on earth. Amen.