Bountiful Spirit -April 1, 2021
John 13:1-17
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you." For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason” he said, "not all of you are clean."
After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord--and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
Reflection by Dawn DiVenti
As I reflect on this beautiful Scripture passage, it reminds me of the words to one of my favorite Maundy Thursday songs, “Song of the Lord’s Command” by David Haas. Here is the refrain:
“Do you know what I have done for you, you who call me your teacher and your Lord?
If I have washed your feet, so you must do as I have done for you.”
It is the question that Jesus asked the disciples after they had finished the last supper and He had washed their feet. He had given them a lesson on being servant leaders. To lead, one must serve. That was their job after He returned to His Father. He commanded them to love and serve others, to show His love for all, and to practice humility as it does not come naturally to humans.
Two thousand years later, we read this Scripture and it touches us deeply. Does it change us? Are we any better at serving others now? Are we kinder to one another regardless of what our eyes see, and our ears hear? Do we attend to life knowing every second that God is with us as He promised? Do we practice humility? Holy Spirit lead on!
