November 14th, 2020

​We spent some time at church Sunday talking about the last supper and Jesus washing his disciples' feet. Like so many stories in the bible, I'd read this one over and over without being overwhelmed by it. But then one day I hear a story like this one and it hits me with whole new meaning. Usually because of things I have going in my life or an area God is trying to stir to life in me.

Sunday, thanks to one of our Pastors, Drew, I came to understand just how much Jesus was modeling what love looks like when he washed his disciples feet. And he showed us what it looks like so that we'd know how to do it.

Too many times I'm looking to love in a way that feels comfortable. I think it's real love if it feels good, and my heart swells with loving emotions. I think Jesus was trying to say in this story - if it comes easy, you might not be loving the right people in the right way.

First, who wants to wash feet. Not me. Like if I could make a list of all the things I want to do with the people I love today, washing their feet is way down the list. I'd like to keep it OFF the list completely if I'm being honest.

Factor in this is JESUS. The leader of people. I mean in today's world we don't find many leaders who are looking to do the dirty work. Quite often they are looking to see where they can get their own feet bathed and pedicured.

Jesus' way of loving here is almost upside down from the way I often pursue love.

But here's what hit me in the face. Jesus washed Judas' feet. The man he knew was going to betray him, he washed his feet with the same love and care he did every other foot. He loved like there was no difference at all between loyal and betrayal. He loved like there was no difference between good guy and bad guy. He loved like love was something others should experience, not something he should feel.

This week I've been thinking about how radical love is. And that if I'm looking to love in spaces that are comfortable, and in ways that are neat and clean, in ways that make me feel good and not ways that make others feel included, then I'm probably not pursuing the radical model of love Jesus left for us to DO - not read about.