Service & Helpers
John 13 (Select Verses)
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. 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. Jesus said, “Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and as I said to the people so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Very truly, I tell you, before the cock crows, you will have denied me three times.
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On Maundy Thursday, we are drawn to the service and humility of Jesus bending down to wash the disciple's feet. We are drawn to the table where Jesus broke bread with the disciples. We are drawn to a sense of welcome and love where our God, who came to earth and went to the cross, sits with us. Sits with our hungry, tired, hurting, wounded bodies and souls.
There's a particular convenience we've bought into, though, as disciples of our God. We look for a Jesus who washes our feet, feeds our empty stomachs, and gives us a choice seat at the table. But we are quick to forget that for as much as Jesus does welcome us to sit at the table with him, we aren't as quick to do likewise, even though that is precisely what Jesus expects of us.
There's a quote that has been bothering me lately, and it comes from an unlikely source, Mr. Rogers. Now look, I love Fred Rogers (the most famous Presbyterian minister), but I wouldn't say I like it when he's taken out of context. One of these quotes I've seen circulating on Facebook and other social media is, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."
It's a fine quote, but we must remember who Mr. Rogers' audience was, children. For children who find themselves wrestling with challenging situations, this quote rings true. But it's not as accurate for us (adults). Why? Because we are the helpers. We are the feet washers, the disciples, who Jesus called to be the hands and feet of our living God in the world. We are the helpers.
During this Holy Week, we remember that for each of us who are hungry and weary, there is another who is looking for a place to find rest. So let us spend a moment in reflection, recalling the ways in which we have been served and loved and the ways that this Holy Week pushes us to serve and love as well.
[Personal Meditation]