4-17-2025

Good Morning All,

          John 11:35; “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

    It is Thursday of Holy Week and things are picking up. It is time for the Passover meal. Jesus gives John and Peter instructions on how to find a place for them to share in this meal. “Look for a man carrying a jug of water and when he enters a building, ask the master of the house if the room is ready.” He led them to a spacious hall, and it was here they ate their meal.  

    It was sundown and the time was at hand. We now begin what in the Book of John is called “the Upper Room Discourse.” John spends chapters 13-17 in this Upper Room. The whole Book of John is 21 chapters long and he spends roughly a fourth of the Book here on Thursday night. Even with His death only hours away, Jesus continues to teach, to encourage, to pray for, and to comfort his disciples. He begins to show them what it means to be a true follower of Jesus. He starts by washing their feet.

    At the time of Jesus, washing the feet of your guest was considered an honorable gesture. Given the amount of walking they did, and in sockless sandals, a person’s feet could get quite dirty. It was often the job of the lowest slave to wash the feet. Yet, in the middle of the meal, Jesus gets up and washes their feet. This was to show them, and us, to follow Jesus is an active life but a humble life; it is a life of service. Jesus tells them, “I have given you an example to follow.”

    For many Christians, this is just too hard to swallow. “If I am the victor, I am going to act that way!! I will gloat, I will hold it over them and they will see I am in charge.” Unfortunately, this is exactly how the devil wants us to respond. This attitude drives people away from Christ not towards him. Yet Jesus shows us a different way, a better way to live. Jesus shows us that the way he lived, the humble, compassionate life he lived drew people to him. He looked upon everyone, especially the hurt and the oppressed, with a special love. In his teachings, he emphasized caring for “the least of these” over and over. Not with some form of power trip but with true humble compassion. So, He instructs us with these simple words, “love one another. Love as I have loved you.”

    Jesus even gave us his special meal, his body and blood, to emphasize his love for us and to remind us of that great love whenever we gather together as his people. We see the great love that Jesus has for us, a sacrificial love that knows no limits. A love for us to strive to have for those around us. To do “church” right is to have people say, “See how they love each other.” See how they share in their burdens, they share in their compassion, they share in their needs, they share in their plenty, and they love one another. There is no need that is too large or too great that they will not carry. Love one another, even as I have loved you!

Father of mercy, defend us with your mighty arm so that we may be a people who love. Give us courage, wisdom, and a trusting faith to live our lives of love for all. Send your Spirit to lead us on the paths you would have us go that all that we do may please you and bring you glory. In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret