18. THE BEST VERSION OF MYSELF: SERVE

MAUNDY THURSDAY, March 28th

Read John 13:3-17 (copied below).

Follow Jesus…

After dinner with his disciples on that evening we now call Maundy Thursday, Jesus sets an example for all of us. He ties a towel around himself, pours water into a basin, then washes their feet. He even washes the feet of the one who was to betray him. Jesus then tells his disciples (and us), “For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.”

to be the best version of myself…

Two thoughts come to my mind today. Jesus chose to serve by washing dirty feet, a most unpleasant task. And Jesus chose to serve Judas (who would soon betray him), a most difficult person. “I have set you an example,” he tells me.

But I would rather serve with the tasks I enjoy, for the people I love. Yes, I will readily make soup for an ailing family member, send a note of encouragement to a dear friend, care for my sweet grandchildren. I am also willing to volunteer for community service, speak up for social justice issues, donate to relief agencies…

“As long as I can serve cleanly, conveniently, and happily, I am your servant, Jesus.”

Then I think of those whose servant hearts take them deeper into compassionate service. The caregivers who tend the toileting needs of the ill or elderly. The teachers and aides who deal with troubled and volatile students. The supporters who stand before fire hoses or tear gas in solidarity with demonstrators. The firefighters, police officers, emergency medical teams, and other brave souls who put their lives in danger to rescue complete strangers. The peacemakers who return merciful kindness to those who have caused them harm.

They serve as Jesus has instructed us to serve, and I am humbled and convicted.

for the world.

God, Infinite Love,
Thank you for the loving life of Jesus and the example he has set for us. Thank you for the selfless, compassionate, caring people who serve as he has taught us to do. Open my heart to truly serve–in the ways that I am needed, for the ones who need me–no matter who, no matter what I may be called to do.

Our reading for tomorrow, Good Friday, is Luke 22:32-34.
Photo by Karen.

John 13:3-17 (NRSVUE)

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God, 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.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had reclined again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, slaves are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.