ADVENT - “True and Authentic Faith”

Today's reflection confronts a daily battle taking place behind the scenes; it's a tension we all face - humility versus pride. Those are our options, and one always wins out. We all pursue convenience to some degree and living in today's age, it is easy to experience. Everything we could ever want or desire is at our fingertips. Convenience is the ultimate value in our culture. But Jesus offers a different way of living - defined by a servant's heart. Before we begin, I want to provide you with space to pause and reflect on how that tension of humility and pride unfolds in your life. Then, take a few moments to pray, asking God to help you wash away your pride. 

During the Passover festival, Jesus and His friends gathered around a table for an evening of community, food, and celebration. While conversations broke out all around, no one mentioned the neglected towel and basin in the corner. It was custom in that day for a lowly servant to perform the humbling act of ceremonially washing the guest's feet, but that hadn't taken place. No one imagined Jesus, their beloved teacher and rabbi, would be the one to stand up and grab the towel, but He did. Stunned and uncomfortable, the disciples watch Jesus humble Himself and then say these words in John 13:12-17:

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 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. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Jesus washed the feet of every guest, including Judas, the individual who would go on to betray Him ultimately. The message Jesus wanted to convey was that His love had no limits - it included friends, family, neighbors, strangers, and even our enemies. Humble, servant-hearted love is what He hoped defined His followers. He continues this message in verses 33 through 35 by saying:

33 “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. 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Our quest for convenience possesses the ability to cripple our relationships, squander our influence, and stunt our impact as a community. We can't genuinely engage others when our focus is on guarding our comfort. Being wrapped up in our world, we don't see the hurting and lost people around us. When we are solely thinking about ourselves and our comfort, the needs of others isn't much of a concern. 

Engaging in relationships can be challenging and time-consuming. Entering someone's world requires attention and effort. Washing someone’s feet involves our hands getting messy. Scripture says that no one has ever seen God, but something miraculous happens when we love one another: His love is made complete. Let the love that makes the church distinct be the picture of a towel and basin. 

We instinctively reflect the people we admire. Like sponges, we soak up every little nuance of who they are. We attempt to mimic their words, actions, style, and demeanor. We want to look like mini-versions of them. Interestingly, "Christian" comes from a Greek word meaning "little Christ." When people watch the way we live and go about our business, they should see the reflection of Christ. Jesus invites us to spend our days following in His footsteps. He gave us an example to shoot for, and it's centered on humbly serving, forgiving, loving, and making much of others.

REFLECT

Before we begin to wrap up our time together, we want to provide you some space to respond to what we read and maybe to what God is trying to say to you. First, take a moment to process this question…Where does Jesus need to wash away your pride?

Another question to consider is this…How can humility define your words, actions, and demeanor today?

PRAYER

Father God, may I never grow comfortable in my pursuit of You. Rather than look out for my good, I hope my first thought would be to serve. Transform my heart so You can use me. Stretch me and mold me into Your image so that I can bring You glory. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.