The God of Great Grace
Continuing on from my previous post...
Verse 12 says, “and when he was finished washing his disciple’s feet.”
Jesus washed them all. He washed the feet of James, who wanted the seat of honor. He washed the feet of Phillip, who blew it. He washed Peter’s feet – the one who didn’t believe. He even washed the feet of Judas – the one he KNEW would betray him in a matter of hours. Max Lucado explains, “Jesus washed the feet of his betrayer. He gave his traitor equal attention. In just a few hours Judas’s feet would guide the Roman guard to Jesus. But at this moment, they are caressed by Christ."
How is it that Jesus could sit before Judas, KNOWING he was going to betray him - yet, love him and serve him anyways? How is it that He sits before us? When we betray him with our words - with our actions - He sits before us, me, and cleanses me. He washes away my dirt, my filth, and my grime. He clothes me with righteousness and sets me on solid ground. How is that?
And what about those who have betrayed us? Those who have hurt us beyond what we could ever imagine. Those who cut us to the core, who have ripped out our hearts. Those who have left us wounded and mangled. Those who's scars we will bear forever. What about them?
“…We will never be able to wash the feet of those who have hurt us until we allow Jesus, the one we have hurt, to wash ours."
Is it easy? No. I don't think it was easy for Jesus to wash Judas's feet. Afterall, Jesus was 100% human, right?! It's a process that takes time... lots and lots of time. The big thing to remember is the grace that God has already given you.... given me. It's easier to forgive those who have hurt us - when we remember how much we have been forgiven by the One we have hurt.
Verse 12 says, “and when he was finished washing his disciple’s feet.”
Jesus washed them all. He washed the feet of James, who wanted the seat of honor. He washed the feet of Phillip, who blew it. He washed Peter’s feet – the one who didn’t believe. He even washed the feet of Judas – the one he KNEW would betray him in a matter of hours. Max Lucado explains, “Jesus washed the feet of his betrayer. He gave his traitor equal attention. In just a few hours Judas’s feet would guide the Roman guard to Jesus. But at this moment, they are caressed by Christ."
How is it that Jesus could sit before Judas, KNOWING he was going to betray him - yet, love him and serve him anyways? How is it that He sits before us? When we betray him with our words - with our actions - He sits before us, me, and cleanses me. He washes away my dirt, my filth, and my grime. He clothes me with righteousness and sets me on solid ground. How is that?
And what about those who have betrayed us? Those who have hurt us beyond what we could ever imagine. Those who cut us to the core, who have ripped out our hearts. Those who have left us wounded and mangled. Those who's scars we will bear forever. What about them?
“…We will never be able to wash the feet of those who have hurt us until we allow Jesus, the one we have hurt, to wash ours."
Is it easy? No. I don't think it was easy for Jesus to wash Judas's feet. Afterall, Jesus was 100% human, right?! It's a process that takes time... lots and lots of time. The big thing to remember is the grace that God has already given you.... given me. It's easier to forgive those who have hurt us - when we remember how much we have been forgiven by the One we have hurt.
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