‘Now that I, your LORD and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.’ (v14) John 13:1–17
Elephants travel in groups, their pace set by that of the slowest. This is a principle we might embrace as God’s Church. Perhaps it’s the equivalent of the US marines slogan, ‘Leave no one behind’. As disciples, we have a responsibility to ensure we are vigilant in caring for our own.
If Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, then encouraged us to do the same, what might that mean for God’s Church today? Perhaps, that we demonstrate in practice this deep commitment to caring for each other.
The Campaign to End Loneliness discovered that 45% of people felt lonely, ‘some of the time’ in their survey. The loneliest are found amongst those aged under twenty-five and over sixty-five. As the Church, we enjoy a hospitable space, hopefully, open to all. Indeed, Archbishop William Temple described the Church as the only group that exists for the benefit of its non-members.
Still, we can start by offering friendship and welcome to those within the Church. This will prove very attractive to many throughout our communities who suffer from loneliness.
Jesus said that it was the quality of the love exhibited by His followers that would make sense of the gospel to the stranger. Let’s create loving hubs of hospitality everywhere, available to everyone.
RELATED SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER: Deut. 10:12–22; Job 29:7–17; Luke 5:17–26; John 13:31–35.
AN ACTION TO TAKE: Some of us find forming relationships easier than others. But let’s each commit to encouraging at least one person every day.
A PRAYER TO MAKE: ‘Lord, I choose to place my hope in You, even when I am confused and uncertain. Give me courage when I find myself in the dark. Amen.’
Photo by Johan Swanepoel & camylla battani from Depositphotos
