Pay It Forward
As we conclude the season of gift-giving, we often find ourselves sighing with relief. The feelings we had before Christmas were filled with worry and stress. The fear of not getting someone a gift or receiving one from someone, and worrying that you didn’t get something for them in return. What are the reasons for these feelings? Is it because we feel we don’t deserve it, or feel that we need to pay them back? There could be a multitude of reasons, but I believe that Jesus shows us the true meaning of gift-giving, in a place that you might not expect
John 13:1-17 is of a well-known story and practice, that we do even to this day. Jesus and the disciples are welcomed to a home and after being seated, are presented with a dilemma. Who’s going to wash our feet? Even now, the disciples were trying to fight for the best position, still blinded by their pride and greed. After all that Jesus had taught them and showed them, were they still unable to understand His mission? Yet time and time again, Jesus’ patience and love shines forth in demonstrative action. In that story, we find that Jesus' last gift to his disciples was servant leadership.
As Jesus gets down on his knees before his disciples, they are dumbfounded at his humble behavior. Should they have been surprised or should they have known Jesus would have done something of this nature, knowing his nature? Jesus and Peter's interaction says it all, because Peter always speaks his mind. He first refuses Jesus’ pursuit to wash his feet until Jesus explains that he cannot be part of him, otherwise. Then he goes, as far as telling Jesus to wash his whole body. What a roller-coaster of emotion that he just went through, in that brief moment.
We tend to chuckle and roll our eyes when we read about Peter's reactions to Jesus, but don’t we all also act in the same way? We often find ourselves trying to save face or act the way that seems most appropriate or advantageous for the benefit of ourselves. We do things to follow the norms and social patterns that were set before us because that’s how it’s always been done. Not to say that those things are all bad. What was Jesus trying to demonstrate to them, here?
Jesus says it clearly at the end of the passage found in John chapter 13. “12 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. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. “
Jesus demonstrated to them that giving is not just thinking about what we can have or take. It’s not even about making this fair or even. Giving is showing an example of love and fullness of joy. I love the example one pastor gave about being filled with God’s love. When we feel like we are giving up too much of ourselves, we feel like we are running on empty, like a glass being poured out. But when we are being filled ourselves, our glass overflows and we can’t help but spill out to others.
In the same way, Jesus was filled because of the enormous amount of time that he spent with his Father. Jesus knew that he could only give in this manner, when his cup was overflowing. My hope is that each of us can seek to be filled with his love by spending time with Jesus, seeing what the true meaning of giving is like. And just like we saw how the disciples were touched and overwhelmed by his love, we too can come to the realization so that we can overflow into others.
James Lee recently moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma with his wife, Victoria. Currently, he is planning on going back to school, as well as work part-time as a Bible worker at their local church. He enjoys playing basketball and building creative puzzles.