Do You Understand What I Have Done?

“The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

John 13:2-17 NIV

http://bible.com/111/jhn.13.2-17.niv

This is one of those well known stories.  We hear every Easter season, maybe even to the point that when it begins we may not listen completely.  Yet this morning something new stuck out to me.  I'm Hos exchange with Simon Peter, Jesus comments that not everyone among their group is clean, for He knew who was going to betray him.  We know that the someone He is referring to is Judas.  In just a few verses, He is long to flee to go turn Jesus over to His death.  Yet at this point, Jesus washed His feet anyway.  "Even though I know that you are going to betray me; even though your heart is far from mine; even though you are going to take the good I am trying to do and end if greed...I serve you."  These is what went running through the my brain as I read.  Jesus knew what lie ahead and whose hand would push it there, yet He did not exclude him.

“Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

Not only does He wash the betrayer felt, but in that same discourse, He charges us to do the same:  to serve those who are not part of our circle; those who may betray us; those who don't seem to care. That means that person at work who always throws you under the bus.  The person in church who gossips about you.  The man in the store who judges you.  The child, who in a moment of anger, screams, "I hate you!"  The driver who is honking and giving you the finger as you drive down the road.  The friend or loved one who betrays your trust.  God has told us and shown us that we are to follow His example.  We must serve and share His message (whether by words or actions or both)...we must love like Him.  What a hard task, but in Christ ALL things are possible.

Thank you, Lord, for this lesson.  As we begin another school year, help me to teach my students to love like You.  Help me to show all those I work with and come into contact with at any point throughout my day, that You are king of my life and to serve even those who may not be the easiest to love.  In Your name I pray, Amen.