Love Without Limit!
Scripture Reading — John 13:1-17
Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
You probably could have heard a pin drop when Jesus wrapped a towel around his waist, poured water into a basin, and began to wash the feet of his disciples. A rabbi washing the feet of his followers was totally unheard of. That was work for servants and slaves!
Even more amazing, this rabbi, Jesus of Nazareth, was the Son of God. Imagine, if you can, that the sinless Son of God stooped in front of his disciples to wash their dirty feet—feet that would soon run away when soldiers came to arrest him. One of those disciples was about to betray him, and before dawn another would deny him three times.
But that's what Jesus did to show his love and to set an example. He said, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet." Have we understood what he is saying? At worship services this week, some will reenact what Jesus did so many years ago. Some of us have fasted during this season, or given up something else for Lent to remind ourselves of our need for salvation.
But have we gone out of our way to "wash someone's feet" by reaching out to people who need God's love and who need forgiveness? If not, let's not wait! Our Lord calls us to follow his example by humbling ourselves and serving others in his name.
Lord Jesus, teach us how to reach out to people who need your love. We ask in your name. Amen.s
About the author — Arthur J. Schoonveld
Rev. Art Schoonveld is a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Before retiring in 2001, he served churches in California, Illinois, and Michigan. Since his retirement he has worked part-time for the denomination and has served as an interim pastor. Art and his wife, Anita, have four children and nine grandchildren.
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