I met up with my boss yesterday, as I had mentioned. The traffic was horrible going over and it took me an hour to get there. She also commented, as she arrived about ten minutes after me, that she had the same traffic issues coming from the east as I did coming from the west. Where are all these people going that early in the morning? So glad I work remote and don't have to be in that mess every morning!
After we went our own ways I called my little sister and talked with her. I was going to go to the car wash, for my car is getting really dirty, but decided, since we were still talking, to just go on home. Looking at the clock, I knew that I'd no sooner get home that I would have to turn around and leave again to pick up the equipment from the employee who is resigning. So I drove to Big Lots instead. Afterall, I did want to buy a new tablecloth. I ended up not only getting a tablecloth, but also new pillows for the couch! Spring colors! From there I went to Wienerschnitzel where I was meeting the employee and ordered hot dogs for hubby and I.....and a root beer float for me. I love their root beer floats and they can't be resisted. After the equipment was put in my car I headed back home and got back on the computer to 64 messages. Not all for me, of course, but still.......
I had several meetings I needed to get scheduled; a couple fires to put out; and finally was able to get off the computer about 5:30PM. Yeah, an hour and a half later than I normally do! But it was a very busy afternoon. I'm on 'vacation' today but I have a full agenda of things I want to get done to prepare for tonight. I am so excited about doing this with our friends and I am praying that all falls in to place, the food will be good, and God will show Himself. I love it when I feel His Presence all around us, and I am expecting Him to show up tonight. It is, after all, all about Him!
I've worked on a few things this morning and something clicked. As I was preparing an agenda of sorts so that we know what we are doing, I realized that the foot washing was done BEFORE communion. I had it the other way around. For some reason; perhaps because we usually did communion and then separated in to two groups (men / women) for the foot washing, or at least I think we did..... that I, even though I have read it, was thinking of doing it 'that way'. Communion, then foot washing. But, it is the other way. And, I have discovered that it is only in the book of John that the foot washing is described at all! It is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible except in John. And yet, Jesus says we are to do it for each other. I think the symbolism of being a servant to others is what is given in the other gospels, but still..... I am very happy to be doing it and sharing it with others.
I was going to have us separate men/women for the foot washing, but I found a 'how to' on google and in reading it, it says that the pastor does the foot washing of all, for Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, and no one washed His. I'm not sure we will do it that way, but I am processing the thinking process of perhaps having spouse wash spouse's feet. Will discuss with hubby when he returns from his doctor's appointment this morning. One thing we don't often think about either, is that their feet were clean, for a servant had already washed their feet when they arrived for dinner. That was 'tradition'. A lowly servant - the lowest on the totem pole as we would say - was given the responsibility of washing the feet of the people who came to dinner. So their feet were clean.
But Jesus. He washed their feet to show that they need to be a servant to others, regardless whether they were an apostle (or pastor) or a disciple. We are all called to be servants; no one is greater than his master, but we are to be servants to all.
John 13:1-17 (NET): Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that his time had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world he now loved them to the very end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, that he should betray Jesus. Because Jesus knew that the Father had handed all things over to him, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, he got up from the meal, removed his outer clothes, took a towel and tied it around himself. He poured water into the washbasin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to dry them with the towel he had wrapped around himself.
Then he came to Simon Peter. Peter said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You do not understand what I am doing now, but you will understand after these things." Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet!" Jesus replied, "If I do not wash you, you have no share with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!" Jesus replied, "The one who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely lean. And you disciples are clean, but not every one of you." (For Jesus knew the one who was going to betray him. For this reason he said, "Not every one of you is clean."
So when Jesus had washed their feet and put his outer clothing back on, he took his place at the table again and said to them, "Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and do so correctly, for that is what I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you too ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example - you should do just as I have done for you. I tell you the solemn truth, the slave is not greater than his master, nor is the one who is sent as a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
What if, you who are reading this, took a moment this weekend to grab a basin (or a pan; it's ok, wash it afterwards and put it back away) and kneel down and wash your spouse's feet? I know that sounds strange, but it is an honor, actually, to wash some one else's feet. We don't have to have someone doing for us all the time. What if we washed each other's feet? For us tonight, I'm not sure how we will do this... but well, maybe I will share tomorrow. I always cry when I wash other's feet. I remember washing a friend's feet one time at church and I could hardly tell her what a blessing she was to me, for I was having tears fall and a runny nose to boot! It is a very meaningful, insightful, humbling and worshipful experience. You will never forget doing it. You will never regret it.
And with that, I'm going to hush for I have lots to get done today. I've printed off the scripture, printed my menu out, and now I need to start cleaning the house. While hubby is gone I will sweep and mop the kitchen floor like I like having it cleaned - on my hands and knees. I don't care what anyone says - a mop only gives it a 'lick and a promise'! I want it deep cleaned, even it if is tile. And then I will have to watch it while I'm fixing the meal for I usually drop something! Need to get things in order so I'm off here!
Blessings!
