Photo by Jon-Jacob Van Oosterwijk Bruyn

 

The Lord, the Lord,
the compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger,
abounding in love and faithfulness.
(Ex 34:6)

God, the creator of the universe, the one who hung the stars in space and calls each one by name assuming the role of a servant and removing his outer clothing and wrapping a towel around his waist.

God who created the water in the oceans the rivers and lakes; God who unleashes the lightning in heaven, who causes the snow to fall on the earth and the rain shower to be a mighty downpour; taking a basin and pouring water in it.

God who formed each of the disciple’s innermost being in their mother’s womb kneeling beside each disciple and washing their feet. The Master serving his creation.

Will he wash the feet of Judas a backstabber and thief? YES!

Will he wash the feet of Peter who is impetuous and will deny him? YES! 

Will he wash the feet of James and John who are power hungry and want to sit at his right and left in glory (Mark 10:37)?

Will he wash the feet of Thomas who continues to be plagued by doubts? YES!

Will he wash any of the disciples’ feet who in their bewilderment will abandon him as he is led off to the cross? YES!

Having washed the disciples’ feet Jesus sat down and looking at each disciple, he commanded them to use his standard of love as the true measure of their love for other people (John 13:34). A love that comes from the indwelling of the Lord Jesus Christ. A love made real and rewarding by the Holy Spirit – an unfailing fountain of life and refreshment. A love that overflows from God’s heart into our heart and then overflows from our heart into the lives of those around us.

Will he wash my feet today knowing I haven’t always shown love? Yes, yes, yes, a thousand times YES!

The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. (Ex 34:6-7).