There was once a time when the world knew not of its Savior. Yet there was hope because it had been foretold that a child would be born and called Emmanuel – God is with us. In Lent, we prepare for his coming anew. During this season, we discover for ourselves the call of salvation and the promise of eternal life.
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Everyone likes to think of themselves as being a very important person, right? We possess very important knowledge, we do very important work in our lives, and we own very important things. That makes us very important people, doesn’t it?
Would you wash your neighbor’s feet?
They gathered over supper for the last time. Soon, the time of his fulfillment would come and he wanted to express a final message to them. He started by taking a towel and preparing a basin of water. He approached his followers. When they saw what he was about to do, Peter questioned him by asking, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus replied:
“What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” (John 13:6)
And so, one by one, Jesus washed their feet. Here was the greatest, most important man the world has ever known humbling himself in service to his friends. He finished his work, put his robe on, and took his place at the table. They gathered around him and he explained it to them:
“You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you should do just as I have done to you.” (John 13:13-15)
Jesus sets the example for all of us by showing how to serve one another. Regardless of personal circumstances, we are neither above nor below one another. We are simply and miraculously children of God. So Jesus tells them:
“Whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” (John 13:20)
This is the message Jesus expressed to the Apostles and the message that lives on today—receive the Word of Jesus Christ and know God. Share the Word with others so that they, too, may come to know God.
Then Jesus gives them one final command:
“Love one another just as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)
Serve one another, love one another. For God and Jesus Christ, that’s the one true way to become a very important person.
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These Gospel stories are re-imagined in the book series:
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