His Hour

14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. -John 13:14-15

This lowly act of Jesus brings the heart of the gospel front and center as the Lord submits himself to the task of washing off the filth and grim of the human condition. It's clearly a picture for what is to come because of loves sake to bring us at peace with our just and Holy Father. How I love the example Jesus sets for us all when we encounter his servant heart. It is disarming to witness Christ enter into the very mess that created the purpose for his salvific mission. His willingness to know us down to the very detail of the dirt on our "soles" yields every opportunity for intimacy with our Lord.

This is appealing for many to experience this action of washing or cleansing to the point where we realize we must abandon some form of vanity or right to self. Many cease to follow Christ or allow him to really wash those ingrained forms of rebellion or doubt. The chief reason, it is a death of self that many find to be the most difficult step of faith.

What is more, are his words to the apostles that such an act of humility is the modeled posture of a person following Christ. There is not other option to examine and discover if our devotion and love holds any semblance liken to the Father's. This brings us to a place of submission over and over again in life as the needs and the grime of our neighbors and community afford ample opportunity to bring about the demonstration of this kind of love.

Yet, isn't that the kind of love that brings new life? Isn't this the kind of absolute faith that receives strength from on high to love those who hold ours affections as well as those who clearly are our foes? The presence of Judas in these verses are important. It gives validity to Jesus' words. Here we witness enemy loving in action. Such an experience provides for us the justification to stand on all of Christ's words.

As we approach Easter in less than three weeks, we must consider how are we making good on the example Jesus modeled to us? Are we not allowing one opportunity to go unanswered for the sake of ensuring that "His Hour" of suffering at Calvary is significance in our lives? How we also are in the same posture of servanthood for both friend or foe as we celebrate his eternal atonement on this resurrection Sunday? May you allow Jesus to know you down to every grime and stain so that you will experience such intimacy with the Father that you will find yourself gladly modeling the Savior before those who need his touch the most.

Pastor Micah Moreno