Daily Deotions

This week we are going further in our basic Christian  understanding by questioning “what are the marks of a true disciple?  Today I start with two quotes, “You teach what you know, but you reproduce what you are.” – Howard G. Hendricks and “Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Perhaps one of the first qualifying questions a disciple should face is, “Am I willing to serve?” This was a repeated lesson that Jesus had to teach his status-seeking disciples, especially when he dramatically humbled them by washing their feet.

We read, “Jesus got up from supper, 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.” John 13:4-7

There's much in the gospel narrative or words of Jesus that we can't immediately understand. He says little about the meaning of the washing of the feet, except that it's about service, and then just that we should do it too. By doing something in the example or name of Jesus, we often find its meaning. Or by just listening to his word, it begins to make sense. This is heart-knowledge, and prayer-knowledge.

Jesus knows who he is - where he has come from, where he is going. He is teaching his disciples that their true identity is to be servants of one another in his image. I ask to learn what I need to learn from this scene. The pivotal words of this passage are; “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.”

If only it were otherwise.

If only I could present my credentials,

show my record of service,

get some kind of unlimited pass.

In every area of my life

I am more used

to proving how adequate I am,

presenting a polished image,

gaining certain privileges.

But you, Lord,

you bring me down

to where you are kneeling,

and take hold

of the feet I prefer to hide.

We are here together,

near the ground,

and in this humble position

I am touched by you

and made clean.

We are here together,

near the ground,

and in this humble position

I am touched by you

and made clean. Amen