Monday, June 4, 2012
John 13:5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
CHRISTIAN JERKS
There is such a thing as a Christian jerk. Just look at the disciples on the evening of Jesus' betrayal. They've come the premier celebratory meal of Passover week. At this meal they'd commemorate how God delivered ancient Israel from Egyptian slavery by passing over the houses marked with the blood of a lamb (see Exodus 12).
But what are the disciples doing? They're not conversing with appropriate thoughtfulness for the Passover. They're arguing. And they're not even arguing about something spiritual. They're arguing about which one of them is the greatest. Ugh.
Christians haven't changed to this day. We still judge the other Christians in the pew. We jump to conclusions and color other people's words and actions depending on our previous knowledge of them -- no matter how shallow this knowledge really is. Such gracious people we are.
Somehow we feel that it was super for God's Son to humble himself for our benefit, but surely, that isn't our road in life. We'll hold the door, but put others first in a way that means something? In a way that costs us personally, socially, physically? Yeah, we'll pass on that.
Jesus forced His disciples to see their own foolish arrogance at the last supper. He grabbed a basin and a towel and washed their feet. That was the act of a servant, and the Master was doing it for them. If they didn't do the same, they'd be claiming they were above Him. Even arrogant Christians can see that's not the way to go.
If I carried a basin and a towel around for a day, would that help me remember my gracious Savior's example? Maybe. I will carry this story in my mind today. I will remember the humility and the love of the one who erased my sins. And in some small way, perhaps I can imitate that love. To the Savior be the glory.
