April 22nd, 2018
Devotional
“Following Christ: God Sized Vision and Dreams” - John 13: 1-17, 31-35
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Monday: “Having Loved” - John 13: 1
The story of Jesus serving his disciples by washing their feet is often remembered on Maundy Thursday, the Thursday of Holy Week. In many traditions is is re-enacted through symbols such as the washing of each other’s feet and sharing in Holy Communion. But I want us to take time this week to truly explore the thirteenth chapter of the Gospel of John by setting aside what we think we already know about it and instead look at what the text says and means in our lives.
First, notice today that John tells us that Jesus washed his disciples feet before the festival of Passover. The other Gospels set the events of this night inside the context of the Passover meal, where the Jewish people came together in order to remember their history as told in Exodus. For John, these events took place before the Passover.
Next, notice that we are told Jesus’s intention behind his act of service before we are even told what the service would be - he served his disciples out of love. He loved them while he was able to be with them. And he loved them even though he knew that his end was drawing near.
What acts of service, rooted in love, is Christ calling us to do in his name? For many Christians our intention behind service may not be love, but rather obligation - feeling that we have to do something. I believe that those being served can sense our intentions. May we serve this week, and beyond, out of love for those we reach out to and love for Christ.
How do you feel called to serve others?
Why do you engage in acts of service?
Prayer: Most Holy and Precious Lord, we thank you for teaching us not only how to serve one another, but also about why we serve. Why we do what we do as those who bear your name. May we be known as people of love - love of you and love of neighbor - and may our service be rooted in that love. Amen.
Tuesday: “Wash” - John 13: 2-5
Jesus has so much to teach us in today’s passage about reexamining our acts of service in the world. We are told in this passage that Jesus didn’t even make it to the end of the dinner before he got up and tied a towel around his robe and poured water into a basin. He felt compelled to leave his seat in order to serve.
How many times in our lives do we think of all of the things we need to get done before we can serve others? For how many of us, would we want to make sure that the dinner was over, the table was cleared, and the leftovers put away before we would even consider engaging in acts of service? How many opportunities are we missing out on because of our to-do lists and our expectations of what needs to be done first, prior to serving others?
I also find it notable who Jesus served. At this point we know that Jesus knows that Judas is going to betray him. Yet, in John’s gospel Judas has not yet left the room. We are not told that Judas was excluded form the washing of feet, the acts of love Jesus was giving as a gift to his disciples, so we can assume that Jesus washed his feet as well. Could you imagine washing the feet of the one who was going to betray you? How often do we try to determine who is worthy of our sacrifice and service? What is Jesus teaching us about when and who and how to serve in his name?
What keeps you from serving others?
Prayer: Lord, we confess that sometimes we let our own to-do lists and expectations get in the way of serving in your name. At other times we let our judgment of who is worthy and who is not block us from following you. Forgive us, we pray, and free us to serve you, as you have called us to serve. Amen.
Wednesday: “Understand” - John 13: 6-11
Perhaps the past of John 13 that we know the best is Peter’s objection to what is taking place. Peter knew cultural norms. Servants, and then only the lowest of servants at that, wash people’s feet. It was a sign of humility. And yet, here was his Lord, bowing down and washing the feet of his fellow disciples; he could not stand for that so he told Jesus that he refused to have him wash his feet.
Sometimes when we serve people, they may refuse. Refuse out of embarrassment, like Peter, or out of a lack of understanding. Refuse because they are used to being the ones doing the serving, instead of being served.
If we are honest with ourselves, there have probably been times in our lives when we were just like Peter as well. Times when we trend away the gift of service that others were trying to offer us. But Jesus is reminding us that we need to be both served and servant. For it is by learning what it feels like to be served that we can reach out to others with compassion and love. Servanthood and being served go hand in hand.
How do you feel when other people serve you?
How does allowing yourself to be served propel you into service of others?
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for reminding us that there will be times when we all need to be served as well as times when we will be called to serve others. Give us humble hearts to receive the gifts of what others are doing for us, as well open hands to reach out to serve others. Amen.
Thursday: “Set You an Example” - John 13: 12-17
Peter gave in and allowed his feet to be washed along with the rest of the disciples. After Christ returned to the table he asked his disciples a question “Do you know what I have done to you?” The disciples probably just stopped and looked at one another, baffled by both what has taken place and by the question. Christ goes on to explain that what he has just done is an example to them - an example of how they are to treat one another. How they are to bless the world.
Who are the people in your life who taught you how to serve? For me its people like my Grandma, who continually gives people food and rides and visits with them. And people like Loretta, who always seems to send cards with just the right words of wisdom when I am going through a challenging time. We all need examples in our lives what it looks like to serve - the heavenly example of Christ and the earthly example of others who teach us how to reach out and serve.
Who are the people in your life who have taught you how to serve?
Prayer: Lord, you thank you for the faithful examples of those who are in your earthly church and the church triumphant who have taught us what service in Christ name looks like. Allow us to be such examples to others around us, we pray. Amen.
Friday: “Love One Another” - John 13: 31-35
The hymn They Will Know We are Christians by Our Love was written in the 1960s by the Catholic priest, Father Peter Scholtes based off of John 13:35. When the early church came into being in the book of Acts, the teaching of Jesus in this section of the gospel of John became true, as non-believers cried “Behold how they love one another.”
As Christians it is not so much a question of if we will love, for as Christ states in this section of John 13, it is actually a new commandment. I believe the better questions are why and how we love. We love because Christ first loved us. We love because Christ has so changed us that we cannot help but to love others. As to the how, it is however Christ may be leading us at the time - words of encouragement, prayers, acts of compassion. When we combine why and how, we live into the Kingdom of God.
Why do you serve others?
How do you share the love of Christ with others?
Prayer: God, you are the source of all love and truth. We thank you for Christ both showing us love on the cross and teaching us how to love with the basin. Allow us to proclaim your cross and Kingdom through our acts of service as well. Amen.
Saturday: Preparing for the Word
You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Following Christ: Led by the Spirit” - Matthew 28: 16-20
Family Activity: What is an act of service you can do together as a family? What does it feel like to serve others? Why do we serve others as believers of Jesus?
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