When we give flowers to...
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When we give flowers to another, it's a quiet way of saying we love that person. When we assist someone with their topcoat, we act as a servant to the person and the kind deed says we care about them. The same is true of the washing of feet. That was Jesus' way of telling his friends he cared for them and, in fact, was anxious to be a servant to demonstrate his love was sincere -- not just words. It was a pre-figuring of the greater sacrifice of the cross which would soon follow.
One Scripture scholar refers to the washing of feet as a parable which Jesus did not speak but performed. He did what normally a servant would do and his example still impresses us today. He knew he really did come to serve rather than be served.
The significant aspect of the foot-washing ceremony is not that we are imitating Jesus washing the apostles' feet but we are fulfilling what he commanded to "wash each others' feet."
We need to allow others to wash our feet and not protest, like Peter, for then we deprive others of the opportunity to do good deeds. Service and love flows both ways. We give it and receive it, and have more to offer the next time.
One Scripture scholar refers to the washing of feet as a parable which Jesus did not speak but performed. He did what normally a servant would do and his example still impresses us today. He knew he really did come to serve rather than be served.
The significant aspect of the foot-washing ceremony is not that we are imitating Jesus washing the apostles' feet but we are fulfilling what he commanded to "wash each others' feet."
We need to allow others to wash our feet and not protest, like Peter, for then we deprive others of the opportunity to do good deeds. Service and love flows both ways. We give it and receive it, and have more to offer the next time.
