S - John
13:6-8, 13-17 (NIV): "He came to Simon Peter, who said to him,
“Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now
what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall
never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with
me.” … “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I
am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should
wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have
done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor
is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these
things, you will be blessed if you do them."
O -
Jesus not only insisted on washing Peter's feet but Judas' as well. Why didn't he wait until Judas had left to
wash his disciples' feet? In this extreme act of humility and love, isn't
this a waste? If the measure is
efficiency and output then yes it is. Judas would go on to betray Jesus. But if
the measure is love then it can't be wasted. The focus of love is not being loved back but
loving. This dynamic is difficult for us to catch and to keep caught. There are so many things like this that Jesus
will do that at the time we won't understand them. However, we can continue to love and to live
in humility, admitting and living out loud the truth that we are not greater
than the One who sends us. The knowing
won't bring the blessing … only the doing.
A -
Jesus has assigned me/us only one purpose each day, every day and all day long
- to love God with all ones' soul, strength, mind and heart and ones' neighbor
as themselves. Everything hangs on these
and if I/we do them we will live. Our
love is not to be measured in terms of output nor meted out according to our
assessment of those who deserve it. From
our enemies to our closest friends we are commanded to love. My imperfections in such living will not
impede the Kingdom nor bring me divine displeasure … only my refusal to so
engage. And even in this I would be no less loved by him. Today, while it is
called today, my purpose is clear and I choose to live it out as clearly as I
can.
P - Lord
who is love,
I praise you for this day and
for the clarity it brings. You made it
and have filled the earth with your glory and love … and you instruct me to
join you in that which you are doing: loving the whole world. I praise you for the work assignment you have
given to me and to all; the work of believing the person of Jesus--not a plan,
promise, principal or capacity. Please show me yourself and enable me to do
with you all that you already have in mind. In this world filled with big
problems I choose be little, childlike like Jesus and to accept my purpose and
the work. I really do love you back and
thank you for loving me first and most and for refusing to change your mind.
Thank you for letting me live and pray in Jesus' name.
Steve
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