You might not understand now...

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!