April 27th 2020

READ
John 13:1-17
 
One of the positive outcomes of the Covid-19 crisis, one of the few positive outcomes, is that we have become more aware of those around us. We’ve been encouraged to look out for the vulnerable and the isolated and to shop for someone else if possible when we’re at the supermarket. It’s all calling us to think in new ways and that is good, if it restores something of a sense of community.

This morning I’ve been reading John 13:1-17, it’s the account of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet but you’ll know that if you’ve read it for yourself. It’s a passage we know well and while we imagine we know the lessons have we taken them to heart? It’s very much harder as always to put them into effect and easy to read and carry on regardless. The illustration of washing one another’s feet points to serving one another, being willing to take on the role, even more than that, actually embrace the role of a servant as this was the task of the lowest servant in the household. It disturbed Peter that Jesus should do this and he at first resisted until Jesus said that he must wash him or Peter could have no part of him. Peter seemed to get the point and asked that he might be washed from head to toe. 

​You know, I think Peter learned an important lesson in humility that day. Humility is not only serving it is allowing others to serve us and very often that is the most difficult part of serving one another in the body of Christ. For reasons of pride it offends us to think that another might for a moment imagine that we need help. This though is not optional it is something we have to do since we have the example of Jesus himself but what a source of blessing it is because it makes us dependent on one another and binds us closer in Christ. Let’s consciously practice serving and being served in the church family until it becomes our second nature.
 
A PRAYER 
Lord thank you for the example of service in this act of washing the disciples’ feet, and for the greater service to which it pointed as you washed us from sin at the cross. Lord by your Holy Spirit’s work in us give us the grace and the humility both to serve and be served with humble, thankful hearts and out of love for you and for others within the family of the church. In Jesus name, AMEN
 
LISTEN   
The servant King