Showing The Full Extent Of My Love

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Reading: John 13:1-17

Reflection: It may initially seem odd that when Jesus wants to show the full extent of His love that He washes the feet of His disciples. After all, while we realize taking the role of a servant is a significant act of love, doesn't that pale in comparison to the journey from heaven to earth; from eternity to time; from spirit to body. Don't the many years on dusty roads teaching and healing seem a bit fuller expression than a few moments of washing feet. And what about the suffering of the cross. Surely that is more significant than washing feet.

However, what we read here is what many scholars call a dramatized parable. What this means is that through His actions, Jesus is actually telling the story of His entire life. Therefore, when He takes off His outer garments it pictures Him taking off His glory in heaven and exposing Himself to the very world He created. When He takes the towel and basin to wash feet, He is acting out the role of a servant that He took at His birth and will set aside at His resurrection. When He puts His outer garment on and returns to His original position, it shows Him returning to His position at the right hand of God.

Now, I can't prove that this is the case, but it makes sense. If this is true, then the full extent of His love is not found in one act of washing feet, but a total life of obedience to God's call to redeem the world. It includes His submission to His parents, His growing and learning as a man, His baptism and calling of disciples, His teaching, miracles and ministry, His death and resurrection. This also points to the fact that I don't show the full extent of my love to Jesus in one momentary act of heroic faith. Rather, the full extent of my love is revealed through a long walk of obedience in one direction. As I live out my faith in the day to day events of life, I am showing Jesus how much I love Him.