John 13
It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
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."
"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
I used to think Peter said this full of reverence and awe, fully aware of his lack of understanding. I used to see little humour... how could I laugh? Jesus's ordeal began that very night! But reading it again today, I don't think I would have acted very differently... it reminded me of a petulant child with his parent at bathtime. But Jesus probably looked at him, and loved him for all his silliness and innocence. And this moves me in its poignancy--Jesus fully knew the horrors ahead of Him. Yet, time to love them freely and with quiet joy came before His heavy-heartedness. His focus lay firmly on His friends... with all the joy and tenderness that came with love. And then this.... if it'd been just little me, not Peter who has gone before me, He'd have done the same.
Peter's refusal to be washed say a lot for me...
"No, Lord, don't go to the cross, not You.. it shouldn't be You."
"Unless You are washed, you have no part in Me"
Peter, how many times later in your life did you look back upon this scene? It must have made you both laugh and cry at once, to miss Him afterwards. To have walked with Jesus, the risen saviour.... that memory of His nearness... then, to run on bravely through life's race to meet Him again!
"You took the fall, and thought of me, above all"
| e.s.t.h.e.r in the arms of Jesus @
7/24/2005 01:15:00 pm |
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