As soon as Jesus finished talking with the Sadducees about the rising (the resurrection) a teacher of the law came and asked him which of all the commandments was the most important one. (This story is found Mark 12:28-34)
Christians are very familiar with his answer – he answered love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Then said the second commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself.
The teacher agrees with him but instead of saying mind the teacher uses the word, understanding. To love God with all your understanding . . . there are different levels of comprehension arent’ there? Can we make room for these levels of understanding in our relationship with other Christians and even non-Christians? There is a story in the Scriptures about a man who was reading the Scriptures and suddenly someone came alongside him and asked if he understood what he was reading. The man asked him, How can I understand if there is no one to explain them to me. It’s not good for us to read the Bible alone – we need the help of people who understand the stories.
The teacher also told Jesus that these commandments to love God, self and your neighbor were more important than all other sacrifices and burnt offerings. Jesus told the man that he wasn’t very far from the kingdom of God.
It’s easy in our lives to get caught up in the rituals for the sake of tradition or for the feel-good moments they give us. But if we do not participate in the traditions from a loving perspective we are still far from the kingdom of God and each other. In fact, being present without a sense of giving love and recognizing our own need to be loved through the service, is like being removed from ourselves. Our bodies are in one place but our minds are at home or work or thinking about where we’re going to eat after the service or how long of a drive it is to get to where we’re going for the family celebrations.
It was God’s love that sent Jesus to us and it is Jesus’ love for his people that caused him to participate in the traditions and to go outside and carry the teachings and actions with him, always giving glory to Our Father in heaven. It was love that caused Jesus to celebrate the Last Supper with his disciples and it was love that moved him to wash their feet and ask them to do likewise. I am writing this on Maundy Thursday and so I’m thinking ahead to an event in the Upper Room – When Jesus took on the role of servant by washing the disciples’ feet. Are we willing to be washed, not only by his blood, but by the remembrance of the washing of the feet? Are we willing to wash each others feet and let someone wash ours in remembrance of Jesus? Are we willing to both serve and be served?
Jesus once asked his followers, Why do you call me Lord, and not do what I ask?
Lord, help us to remember the washing of your disciples feet as an act of love. Help us to humble ourselves and do what you have asked us to do – to wash each others feet in remembrance of you and as an expression of our love for you, self and others who love you. Thank you for not only teaching us how to love, but showing us how to express love toward one another. Help us to serve one another in deed as well as word and always in your steadfast love. AMEN
