Foot Washing Part IV: Have Some Love

Recap: Yesterday, through the impulsive reaction of Paul, we explored how foot washing reveals a core part of Jesus's mission: To serve others out of humble love. Today, we’ll see how that mission affects us as Christ’s followers.

Have a word for your brother

Have some time for one another

Really love one another

It’s so hard to find

These lines from the opening of Childish Gambino’s 2016 song “Have Some Love” accurately expresses a need Jesus came to fill.

The state of the world expresses it even better.

I don’t think it’s controversial to say that the world could benefit from a little more love. From people treating each other with more respect, patience, and understanding. Most of us would agree on that, right? 

Of course, Jesus knew it better than any of us.

When He finishes washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus leaves them with more than sparkly toes.

As disciples following a rabbi, it was expected that they’d eventually carry out the same teachings and actions of Christ, which He reminds them of in John 13v13-15…

You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’; and you are correct, for so I am. So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example, so that you also would do just as I did for you.

With that reminder, He was imparting to His disciples much more than good teaching. He was showing them what it means to live with true power.

Humbly serving others isn’t just something that God does, it’s also something His followers are expected to do, too. He is expecting us to imitate His character which, naturally, will produce such service.

And it doesn’t come naturally.

Jesus tells His followers not to be concerned with social image or prestige. He is saying that, so long as the result is love, there’s no such thing as work that’s “beneath them”. 

His followers aren’t meant to assert themselves over others but, instead, willingly go to the low places of service.

Reading Jesus here we are reminded that following Him is not and cannot be a spectator sport. It requires active involvement. A big part of that involvement is taking the spirit of foot washing into the communities around us.

We’re never pressed on the need for such a response. There seems to be an endless ache for it throughout every branch of human society. 

It is one of our greatest, ongoing needs.

Christ met it and now He bids us to do the same.

But it can be tricky. 

Because Jesus is also asking for more than just outward displays. For Him, such gestures get their strength (or lack thereof) from the heart behind them. For here rests the make or break behind foot washing. 

And that’s what we’ll come to tomorrow.

For now, be blessed.

Jon

Theophilus Newsletter

Everyday we will include the short of the day related to the topic of the newsletter. Today: Missional Communities