Being a pastor I get asked about
Scripture verses a lot. Sometimes I get asked my thoughts on a meaning of a
particular verse, and sometimes I get asked for suggestions of verses that
would speak to a circumstance that someone finds themselves in.
Last week the youth group at TUMC
was selecting a Scripture verse to be their “youth verse”. There were
suggestions of 1 Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you
are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in
faith and in purity”, from Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for
you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to
give you hope and a future”, and of course from John 3:16, “For God so loved
the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will
not perish but have everlasting life”. Wow, those are great verses! Those
verses could and should represent every youth group everywhere!
But Sam, one of our youth,
suggested John 13:7. You know that verse, right? Honestly, me neither by
memory. So I looked it up, and here is the context:
The scene is Jesus gathered with
his disciples in the Upper Room, where he would share a final meal with them
(what we call the Last Supper) and he would give a sacrament to them using
bread and wine (which of course we call now by many names such as Holy
Communion, the Eucharist, the Lord’s Supper). Prior to eating, Jesus wrapped a
towel around his waist, poured water into a basin, and began to wash the
disciples feet. Peter was shocked by this servant act of Jesus, and said “Lord,
are you going to wash my feet?” (italics mine).
Jesus replied, “You do not realize
now what I am doing, but later you will understand” (John 13:7).
In the context of the passage what
Jesus is saying is that these men couldn’t understand why he was washing their
feet right now. They had been following him as Lord, as the long awaited
Messiah, and now here he is on his knees washing the road dust and dirt off
their feet. This was a servant’s job! That’s what Jesus meant. His disciples
there with him would never be able to understand this whole servant hood thing
Jesus was introducing to them by words alone, they needed a visual. So Jesus
gave them one to see and to remember: The Savior washing their feet.
If you have ever been to a Maundy
Thursday Service, or experienced footwashing as an act of service to another
and worship to Jesus, it is a powerful thing. We are to put the needs of others
above ourselves, we are to love our enemies and pray for those who say mean and
hateful things about us, we are show love in all situations, and we are called
to serve, not to be served, just as Jesus showed and told us.
Interesting verse for a youth group
to pick when you just read it. But when you really pray it, how powerful it is,
right?
It makes me imagine all the things
that Jesus has done in my life, and how at the time it all didn’t make sense. I
didn’t understand at the time…but later I did. Later when I could look back
with clear eyes on what happened, I could Jesus all over those situations. “In
all things God works for the good of those who love him, and are called
according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Maybe
this should this should be our mantra today. Admitting that we don’t have all
the answers, and trusting that God does indeed know best. Focusing a little
less on ourselves so that we can focus on others. Serving others in the name of
Jesus instead of waiting to be served like it’s somehow our American
entitlement. Stressing a little less about the “rules” and just showing love to
those who need to see and feel it from us.
Interesting verse for a youth group
to pick as their guiding verse, but one that we should all go back and make
sure we understand. So, thanks Sam, and the Telford UMC youth, for reminding me
about John 13:7!
