From Pastor Andrew’s Desk
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Greetings FCCB family,
I hope that your week is going well. I am not happy that I am not seeing any evidence of spring yet, but oh well! I still believe :). It was a joy and and a privilege to have Rev Dr. Tom Pfizenmaier bring the Word last week about God’s grand narrative of “Creation, Fall, Redemption and Restoration.” Thank you Tom! We’re grateful for Tom and Donna and look forward to how the Lord will continue to use them at FCCB.
Also, a reminder that the first class in a seven week series on “building authentic, intentional relationships” is this Sunday. I’ll be teaching and I hope that you can come. My prayer is that it will help us grow in boldness, compassion and impact in every sphere of our lives. 9:00 am this Sunday in the Coggin Room.
Now that we have completed our series on the wonderful “Sermon on the Mount”, we’re preparing for Easter, looking at events directly leading up to the betrayal of our Lord and His crucifixion. As I was praying, I felt led to preach on John 13. It’s just before the Passover Feast in Jerusalem and worshippers from all over have come to celebrate the Lord delivering His people out of slavery in Egypt. With this backdrop, the time had come for Jesus to leave the world (v. 1).
“Having loved His own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love.”
Who were Jesus’s own? Those whom He loved and who loved Him. These were not people that were special in some way by merit, talent or social standing. Rather these were people trying their best to walk with Him, who trusted in Him. As the evening meal was being served, Judas was already prepared to betray Jesus (v. 2).
In the midst of this darkness, came one of the most amazing acts of our Lord. Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was about to serve in a way that no one could have ever predicted. Jesus, who had all things under His power (v. 3) was about to demonstrate love in the most sacrificial way. Jesus got up from the meal, and began to wash the feet of His disciples (v. 4-5). The Lord of all creation humbled Himself to the lowliest place. No one would ever invent this act, it could only come from the mind of God. Foot washing was actually common in dinner parties because people often walked barefoot or with rugged sandals so their feet were very dirty. It was not uncommon for the lowest servant on the ‘totem pole’ in a home to do this thankless job before a meal. This is what Jesus does. Amazing.
Peter then asks if Jesus is going to wash his feet (v. 6). Jesus replied,
“You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand” (v. 7).
I find this line by Jesus quite mysterious. Jesus is indicating that Peter does not understand the full extent of what is currently happening. How often is this the case in our lives when it comes to God’s work around us?!? Throughout any given month I am frequently asking, “Lord, what are you doing in this situation or that situation?” We know the Lord is at work, but we don’t understand why He allows certain things to unfold and events happen. This is where trust comes in. This is where, even in the midst of various situations, we know He deeply loves us and His love and grace motivate His actions….always.
So Peter doesn’t understand what is happening with the foot washing. Maybe out of shock that the Lord is washing feet (or out of a feeling of his own unworthiness…we don’t fully know), he says “No, you shall never wash my feet” (v. 8).
Jesus responds with the deep importance of what He is doing, “Unless I wash you, you have no part of me.”
Jesus indicates to Peter that He is the only One who can do the deep work in our lives, allowing us to fully enter into His presence. Then Peter decides maybe it would be good for the Lord to wash his hands and feet also!! (v. 9). Sort of like saying, “well, while you are at it Lord……:).” Jesus responds by saying
“a person has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you” (v. 10).
In other words, Jesus has ultimately ‘cleaned’ His disciples by washing them with His grace. He was demonstrating the fullness of His love by washing their feet. So often, we can feel dirty and weakened because of unhealthy sin patterns that have developed over time. The feelings of guilt and shame can be overwhelming and we begin to question our own salvation. We wonder if the Lord even forgave us in the first place. These are low moments. It is here the Lord wants to remind us – His grace is sufficient and that the cross paid the price for all of our sin and not just some of our sin. This is amazing grace. It motivates us to serve and love others because we realize the incredible gravity and weight of the Lord forgiving all of our sin and the fact that He serves us. We are then inspired to pour out our lives into the lives of others boldly and graciously with no strings attached. Simply –“we love, because He first loved us” 1 John 4:19.
After Jesus finished washing feet, He asked the disciples, “Do you understand what I have done for you?” This gave them some time to think about what just happened. He then explains in v. 14, 15 the type of response that we are to have in loving others (described above) that unfolds when we realize the gravity of the Lord’s humility. Who can you serve today sacrificially? In some cases it might actually mean washing their feet. If not literally washing someone’s feet, what are other ways to lay your life down for someone? Maybe…
it’s putting your ‘to do’ list aside to grab dinner with a friend who is going through a rough time.
it’s grabbing consistent time out of your week to disciple someone younger in the faith than you.
it’s humbling yourself, asking for forgiveness from someone whom you have held a grudge against.
it’s going to ‘Common Ground’ coffeehouse in Haverhill and spending some time hearing the story of a homeless brother or sister who frequently goes there.
it’s preparing a meal for a family who just had a child, even if you don’t know them well or at all.
I’m not sure what “washing feet” looks like for you, but as we pray about it, I am confident that He will give us wisdom. I would love to hear any “foot washing” stories that come to your mind! Remember that as we serve, we serve out of the our personal experience of His amazing love. Otherwise, it becomes just rote duty or obligation. May His love explode in our hearts today and may we not be able to hold it in!!
I will not be covering Judas’s betrayal in v. 18-30 this particular Sunday, but I encourage you to read it and think about the pain of what went on here for everyone involved. Think also about the Lord’s redeeming work through this betrayal. Verse 31-32 pick up by speaking about the glory of God and that all of what is occurring is for His glory. He goes on to say
“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come” (v. 33).
This moment must have been so tough for the disciples of Jesus! The thought of Jesus leaving was so unthinkable and painful for them. The One who showed them all things and demonstrated the fullness of His love, was getting ready to go away and it was impossible to understand. Right after announcing His departure, He then expands how He wants them to live;
“A new command I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
How we will make the biggest impact for Him? It’s not necessarily by going into the most creative mission strategies, etc. but it will be by loving each other. First Church, let’s get really good at loving each other. Let’s become the best at it. When we do, others will know that there is something different in this place and will be drawn to be here with us. The Lord is doing this more and more. Let’s be open to His amazing work!
One announcement before I close. There will be a wonderful strings concert this Sunday at 3:00 pm in the FLC. The admission charge goes to sponsor Haitian children through Partners in Development. Our own, Max Robinson, will be playing, so come on out and support Max and be blessed by this concert. I went last year and really enjoyed it!
Look forward to seeing this Sunday!
Blessings,
Pastor Andrew
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