“I Play a Little”
I’ve grown up in Nashville. We moved here from West Tennessee when I was three years old. With the exception of Three years in Zimbabwe, one school year in Missouri, and a couple of summers doing Summer Stock Theatre out of state I have lived the rest of my life in the greater Nashville area. This may be stating the obvious but we have a lot of guitar players in Nashville. Some really outstanding players wash windows or work factory jobs. A few even make a living pickin’. Over the years I have learned how to spot a really good guitar player without ever having to hear the first note. Some guys will tell you up front how good they are. They are usually wrong. The really good players are the one who say, “I play a little.” They are wrong, too, but on the other end of the axe.
Jesus wrapped a towel around His waist and washed His disciples’ feet. This was a lowly task usually relegated to someone in a lowly position. While John doesn’t record it the other gospel writers inform us that one of the favorite pastimes of these disciples was to argue about which of them was the greatest. They were also not above jockeying for position in the coming kingdom. Jesus had addressed this on several occasions but they didn’t seem to get it. He had one more shot and He took it big time. They never forgot this one
The reason Jesus could do this was simple. He knew He was the greatest among them so He didn’t have to mouth it. In fact the prologue to this event reads: “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God.” Those who are insecure or uncertain have a difficult time serving others. It takes great confidence in who you are to be able to take the towel and basin and wash the feet of others.
You want to be blessed? Understand that Jesus was talking to you as well as the disciples when He said, “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.”
1 comment:
Great word Ronnie. Verse 3 always struck me as being the reason Jesus could serve like he served...and how we can serve.
1. He knew the Father had give all things into his hands.
2. He knew that He had come forth from God.
3. He knew that He was going back to God.
Lord, let me follow your example and serve.
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