When Jesus had washed the disciples' feet, he said to them:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master
nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.
If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.
I am not speaking of all of you.
Jesus is sending us out to wash the feet of the world. He is sending us to bring his offer of forgiveness. But it is a humble offer. It is an intimate and loving gesture. When we really get it right we show the people of the world how much the Father loves them. The disciples are embarrassed at the intimacy and humility Jesus shows when he washes their feet. If we are willing to love in this way people will want to hear what we have to say.
"My brothers, if one of you has a word of exhortation
for the people, please speak."
Jesus is the savior of the world. God prepared for his coming throughout all of history. When he dealt with his people in Egypt he was getting them ready for the exodus from death to life that Jesus would make possible. When God gave them a king he did so to prepare for the king whose reign will never end. His centrality in history might lead us to form certain expectations.
What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.
Yet it is precisely Jesus who washes our feet. This is the lesson. These are the points which we must hold in tension. The cosmic grandeur and majesty of the King and Savior and the humility and intimate love we see revealed in the incarnation and life of Jesus. We must not lose either aspect in our proclamation.
The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.
We must make effort to remember both the divine and human natures of Jesus. We must be in relationship with and proclaim the whole Jesus. Then everyone, including ourselves, receives the real Jesus, and the one who sent him.
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