April 9, 2020

The Wideness of God’s Mercy

Kathleen Stephens | Read John 13:1-7, 31-35

(Image: Pixabay)

On the last night of Jesus’ earthly ministry he gathers with his disciples to observe the Passover meal. But first he does something scandalous—Jesus washes the disciples’ feet, a task normally reserved for servants. Jesus knows his power: God has put him in charge of all things. Yet he lays aside that power and takes on the role of a servant. Jesus is aware that in the morning he will head to Calvary, where he will die on the cross for the sins of humanity. He also is aware that Judas, Peter, and the others will fail him in his darkest hour. None of this clouds his love or his service to these men. In his mercy, he treats them all as if they already are forgiven.

Loving as Jesus loves means taking on the role of a servant by caring for the needs of others without expecting anything in return. He shows us that we are to do this service not only for those who treat us well but also for those who disappoint us, hurt us, and even betray us. Does Jesus really expect us to love and serve people who harm us? Are there no exceptions to this rule of loving servanthood? Loving one another doesn’t mean we must feel affection for others. It means that we are to act in a loving way, even when we would rather not.

We may never achieve the level of God’s perfect love, but we can let go of grudges and respond to hurtful behavior with kindness and gentleness. This kind of love and forgiveness is only possible because of the one who loves us fully and completely, the one who loves us to the end, even to the cross and grave and back.

O God, your will for us is that we lovingly serve others. Thank you that your mercy includes all of us who fail at this task in ways large and small and yet are forgiven to try again. Amen.

Pray the Scriptures Using Audio Lectio
Read John 13:1-17, 31-35

John 13:1-17, 31-35

¹ Before the Festival of Passover, Jesus knew that his time had come to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them fully. ² Jesus and his disciples were sharing the evening meal. The devil had already provoked Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray Jesus. ³ Jesus knew the Father had given everything into his hands and that he had come from God and was returning to God. ⁴ So he got up from the table and took off his robes. Picking up a linen towel, he tied it around his waist. ⁵ Then he poured water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he was wearing. 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 what I’m doing now, but you will understand later.” ⁸ “No!” Peter said. “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t have a place with me.” ⁹ Simon Peter said, “Lord, not only my feet but also my hands and my head!” ¹⁰ Jesus responded, “Those who have bathed need only to have their feet washed, because they are completely clean. You disciples are clean, but not every one of you.” ¹¹ He knew who would betray him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you is clean.” ¹² After he washed the disciples’ feet, he put on his robes and returned to his place at the table. He said to them, “Do you know what I’ve done for you? ¹³ You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you speak correctly, because I am. ¹⁴ If I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you too must wash each other’s feet. ¹⁵ I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do. ¹⁶ I assure you, servants aren’t greater than their master, nor are those who are sent greater than the one who sent them. ¹⁷ Since you know these things, you will be happy if you do them. ³¹ When Judas was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Human Onehas been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. ³² If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify the Human One in himself and will glorify him immediately. ³³ Little children, I’m with you for a little while longer. You will look for me—but, just as I told the Jewish leaders, I also tell you now—‘Where I’m going, you can’t come.’ ³⁴ “I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. ³⁵ This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.”

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Lectionary Week

April 6–12, 2020

Scripture Overview

Although we anticipate the celebration of Easter, this week’s readings remind us to slow down and walk through the suffering of Jesus. If we fail to understand why he has to die, then we fail to grasp fully the power of his resurrection. Monday’s passage in Isaiah anticipates the Messiah, the Anointed One, coming to bring justice to the nations. Tuesday’s Psalm laments that sometimes the righteous are met with scorn. The Hebrews passage for Wednesday declares that Christ knows of the suffering that awaits him, yet he endures it because of the joy to come. On Thursday, the reading in John shows us that even when facing death, Jesus continues to model selfless love. Friday brings pain and rejection, but Sunday is the greatest day in human history. He is risen indeed!

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read John 13:1-7, 31b-35. Consider someone who has disappointed, hurt, or betrayed you whom God might be calling you to love. How could a posture of service help you act in a loving way even if you cannot feel affection for this person?
Read Isaiah 52:13-53:12. How does this description of a suffering servant help you more fully understand Jesus’ suffering on the cross?
Read Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24. When has grief felt like mercy? When has noticing you are alive felt like a miracle?
Read Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24. Recall a time you forgot how to sing God’s praises despite the joy around you. How did God provide the song?

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The Wideness of God’s Mercy

The Wisdom of the Body

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The Wideness of God’s Mercy

John 13:1-7, 31-35

John 13:1-17, 31-35

The Wisdom of the Body

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