226. We will be blessed: The Lord washed our feet, we should wash one another's feet.

6 December 2021

You will be blessed.

Deuteronomy 28

3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.

2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.

John 13

17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.

Maundy Thursday.

"Maundy (from Old French mandé, from Latin mandatum meaning "command"), or the Washing of the Feet, or Pedelavium, is a religious rite observed by various Christian denominations. This is also seen as referring to the commandment of Christ that believers should emulate his loving humility in the washing of the feet (John 13:14–17). The term mandatum (mandé, maundy), therefore, was applied to the rite of foot-washing on the Thursday preceding Easter Sunday, called Maundy Thursday." From Wikipedia

"As Jesus was teaching His disciples about true service by washing their feet, Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” (John 13:8). But when the Lord told him he could have “no part” with Him without learning that lesson, Peter quickly reversed himself (vv.8-10)." 

From Our Daily Bread

"So before their last meal together, He took off His outer garment, wrapped a towel around His waist, and began to wash His disciples’ feet. This was shocking because only slaves washed feet. It was an act of servanthood and a symbol that pointed to Jesus’ sacrifice, passion, and humiliation on the cross. His request to His disciples was: “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). They were to “pay it forward.”" From Our Daily Bread

At a retreat in 2012, someone was to wash my feet; I was mindful because I have athlete's foot. But how can I back out, the others obliged. When it was being done, I heard the words of the Lord Jesus to Peter, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” At that very instance, I relaxed and let it be, I want the Lord Jesus to have a part with me. Who would not want that?

The time came I was the one to wash the feet of another, the feet of my son Paolo, that was in 2017.

Before that, I washed the feet of another. When I was about to do it, playing in my mind was, what I was doing was what the Lord Jesus did. The question was, am I worthy to represent the person of the Lord Jesus, mindful of my frailty. I whispered in prayer, asking the Lord to cleanse me of my sins for me to be able to proceed. It was a humbling moment.

Now about my moment with my son Paolo, I was to symbolize that I will have a part in him spiritually, as the Lord Jesus with Peter. Then after washing of the feet, I had to pray within the hearing of Paolo. I asked him to forgive me for the time that I seemed too critical of him, it was because my focus is on him being my only son (that is, my wife would focus on our two daughters). Precious moment between father and son that would not happen otherwise. Such occasion is a blessing. It was humbling and liberating at the same time, being able to utter admitting my fault, knowing that Paolo at 27 is already Christian, would somehow be forgiving, unlike me at that age.

That time I did the washing with Paolo, I did the talk on the topic, recalling the Lord's example and playing the video, The Basin and the Towel.

Most often regarded as the symbol of Christianity is the cross, and the dove for the Holy Spirit.

The washing of the feet, the symbol of the servanthood of the Lord Jesus is most appropriately represented by the basin and the towel.

""When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 

“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 

I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 

Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 

Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”" (John 13:12-17). Lord, blessed be Your name, "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow" (Philippians 2:10), this I pray. Amen.

24 February 2018"

May you be blessed with God's Word.

Maraming salamat.