Today’s reading is John13:1-17 and 31b-35. What stands out to me most isn’t all the dialogue and action around the washing of the disciples feet. I’m a little surprised by that, probably because that’s what I’m most familiar with and the tradition held in the church I have attended through the years. I’ve had my feet washed at the Maundy Thursday services and I’ve washed feet at the services. I am a foot washer kind of person.

What I’m drawn to more than anything are the words Jesus spoke as recorded in verses 15 – 17. These are words about the order of relationship and the work we are all called to do with and for each other as much as they are about what Jesus has done for us. Jesus has done so much more for his disciples than washing feet. Jesus served them and other people the entire time he was with them. He served them by word and deed. He served them by teaching them. He served them by healing them and their loved ones. He talked with them about serving strangers and he demonstrated how to do that. He served his disciples by listening to them and answering their questions. He served them by praying for them and he asked them to do the same. He served his followers by seeing to it they were fed and then Jesus served them by helping them understand God and the world in broader ways. He served them by encouraging them to work together. He served his disciples, friends, followers, strangers and even enemies. And he served best by loving and caring for them and helping them to prosper in word and deed. Now, he tells his disciples they should do to each other what he has done to them. We have learned that we should serve one another too. That’s what heavenly (loving) relationship is all about.

Now, back to the order of relationship for all of us. Jesus said that servants and messengers are not greater than their masters or the one who sent them. Even though Jesus did previously say that his disciples would do greater things than he did, he never said we would be greater than he is. Perhaps when he said we would do greater things he just meant we would do more, that we would carry the message of God’s love in word and deed further than he would. He knew he was dying, he knew he would no longer be in this world and he knew how big the world was then and still is. While we are in this world, let us carry the message of God’s love for the whole world, to the world in word and deed.

Let us pray:
Lord, you have called people to follow you in every generation to teach us how to love and serve one another in peace. Thank you. Your words of life still teach us how to live in peace in this world. Your deeds of service are still an example for us. Help us to live, love and serve one another in peace on this earth, to the glory of God. AMEN