John 13

Our pastor is preaching a series on marriage.  I've been going back through his sermon from this past Sunday.  He preached on John 13.  He began with this question...

"If this was your last chance to show someone you loved them, what would you do?"   

The last gift Jesus gave His disciples before His ultimate sacrifice was to take on the role of a servant and wash their feet.  "Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end." (John 13:1b)  Our pastor explained that in Jesus's time the type of servant who would wash feet would have been a gentile servant, the lowest of slaves...not one of their own people.  In verse 8 we read Peter's protest, "You will never wash my feet - ever!" 

When it was Jesus's time to show His disciples one last time how much He loved them, He took on the role of the lowest of slaves.  When He was finished He said,

"Do you know what I have done for you?  You call me Teacher and Lord.  This is well said, for 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 given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you. I assure you: A slave is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him.  If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them." (John 13:12b-17)

Foot washing was Jesus's example to us of a humble act of service, an expression of His love.  Some modern day examples our pastor gave in marriage...

volunteer to do the chores your spouse needs, or hates, with a smile

give the gift of forgiveness, or apology...give your best

Anticipate acts of service for your spouse that will be beneath you, inconvenient, and will humble you.  Anticipate it and do it anyway.  Give loving acts of service without merit.

So, as the sermon from Sunday has been marinating in my mind...I received a text from Jason who was upstairs in his office to please get him an outfit ready.  My first annoyed thought, "does he not understand that I am taking care of his three children down here...feeding them.  And, did he just text me from upstairs...are you kidding me?"

Then I remembered King Jesus's words, "If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them."  I sent him a text back, "I would love to!"  And, there was joy in that small act of service.  For once I got it right!