Taken By Surprise

Taken By Surprise

He began to wash His disciples’ feet. John 13:5 (NLT)

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1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. 6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” 8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” 9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” 10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

John 13:1-17 (NLT)

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I seldom have the privilege of providing personal service for our Christian Horizons

family members. However, one summer evening I was visiting our summer

conference program in Michigan and things took an unexpected turn. One of the

dear ladies required hospital attention suddenly. The director, who also lived with

two of the guests, was required elsewhere and I was asked if I would take his place.

I bravely started back to our dorm and helped each gentleman transfer

from his wheelchair and dress for bed.

Things were going well and when I was asked, through glances and motions by

the men, to assist them in relieving their bladders, I was directed to their bedpans.

I carefully followed their non-verbal instructions, at least as best as I could.

The challenge came at the end of the exercise. While removing the first bedpan,

I must have got a dose of ‘nerves.’ I spilled it! I spilled it all over the

gentleman and his bed. Fresh sheets and night attire were required.

To this day, I remember the look in his eyes. There was the, ‘Here we go again,

breaking in a new guy’ look. But there was also the unmistakable ‘thank you’ look

as he acknowledged my best intentions in serving him.

Jesus makes it very clear that we are to worship Him when presented with

opportunities to serve. Jesus could have been preaching, but the day was hot and

dusty. His disciples’ feet needed to be washed and refreshed before lounging beside

the evening meal. The other disciples apparently refused to be reduced to servants.

Jesus did not lecture them or point out their gifts while noting that He was

personally specially gifted for the more important areas of ministry.

Jesus served where He was needed.

The Holy Spirit has given special gifts to assist each follower of Jesus in his or her

ministry. It would seem appropriate to seek out opportunities to invest our gifts in

His service. However, there are also those precious unexpected moments when we

are placed in the midst of a need that we can address. There is a special blessing

associated with an unexpected service provided by a person willing to be used for

God. When we step outside of what is expected and address the needs of others,

we encourage others to stretch themselves from their comfort zone. Such acts,

motivated by a desire to honour God receive special blessing. “Now that you know

these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:17)

 

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Heavenly Father, help me to sort out my priorities as I seek to honour You

in my daily life. Amen.

 

- Noel Churchman

 
Noel was the Executive Director of Christian Horizons form 1976 to 2001. The devotionals we will be using are from a book he wrote in 2005 called “Walking with God”. Noel’s reflections are grounded in his experiences as an educator, and provider of supports for individuals with exceptional needs as well as his life as a dedicated follower of Christ.