Blog Goes The Small Group!
Greetings Friends. My Tuesday evening small group is reading through the Gospel of John, one chapter per week, then gathering to talk about it. It’s been a lot of fun. Due to a number of schedule conflicts, we were not able to meet tonight. With more than half of the group traveling to Namibia in a week, the prospects of us being able to meet the next month looks pretty slim. So, I’ve decided to go cyber. I’m going to open up our discussion of John (this week we read thru chapter 13) here on the blog. I’m expecting some of our small group to chime in with comments, thoughts and questions, just like if we were sitting around the table and snacking on popcorn. I also welcome any of you reading the blog to chime in with comments and thoughts. Consider yourself part of a ‘virtual small group experiment’.
Here’s my take on the first section:
John 13:1-17
I’m touched by the words at the end of verse 1, ‘He now showed them the full extent of His love’ followed by the scene of Jesus humbly stooping to serve the disciples.
The word ‘so’ in verse 4 interests me. John records in verse 3 that Jesus understands all power to have been given Him, and that He has come from God and would soon return to be with God. It would seem to me that this knowledge would have led one to conclude they should be served, rather than serving others. Then that word ‘so’ puzzles me, as if John is saying, because of who He is, He chose to serve in menial tasks.
I was at a gathering once when someone stooped to wash others feet. I remember being very uncomfortable thinking, ‘I hope they don’t come do that to me!’ I completely sympathize with Peter’s unease. ‘My Lord? Stoop to wash my feet? What sense does that make?’
In verse 14 Jesus’ admonition that His disciples should serve in a similar manner has been misunderstood in a small number of churches to the degree that they view foot washing as a sacrament of the church (Primitive Baptist & some branches of Brethren churches among them).
The whole passage stirs me to consider the manner in which I love others and would serve others. That last verse in the section declares, ‘Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them’. That speaks a challenge to me.
What are your thoughts on these verses? The rest of John 13? I’ll drop a few thoughts in on the remainder of the chapter as the week progresses, so check back often.
Here’s my take on the first section:
John 13:1-17
I’m touched by the words at the end of verse 1, ‘He now showed them the full extent of His love’ followed by the scene of Jesus humbly stooping to serve the disciples.
The word ‘so’ in verse 4 interests me. John records in verse 3 that Jesus understands all power to have been given Him, and that He has come from God and would soon return to be with God. It would seem to me that this knowledge would have led one to conclude they should be served, rather than serving others. Then that word ‘so’ puzzles me, as if John is saying, because of who He is, He chose to serve in menial tasks.
I was at a gathering once when someone stooped to wash others feet. I remember being very uncomfortable thinking, ‘I hope they don’t come do that to me!’ I completely sympathize with Peter’s unease. ‘My Lord? Stoop to wash my feet? What sense does that make?’
In verse 14 Jesus’ admonition that His disciples should serve in a similar manner has been misunderstood in a small number of churches to the degree that they view foot washing as a sacrament of the church (Primitive Baptist & some branches of Brethren churches among them).
The whole passage stirs me to consider the manner in which I love others and would serve others. That last verse in the section declares, ‘Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them’. That speaks a challenge to me.
What are your thoughts on these verses? The rest of John 13? I’ll drop a few thoughts in on the remainder of the chapter as the week progresses, so check back often.
2 Comments:
With regard to those churches who take this ultra-literally, it's so much easier. By taking it at word-value, you're off the hook by attending a service and cermonially washing feet now and then.
Let's face it, foot washing doesn't mean too much to us (though I defy anyone to wash certain feet in MY family... gas mask strongly recommended).
But by looking behind it, at the servant aspect, man we're ON the hook. He who leads must be servant of all. Caring for people in uncomfortable ways. Reaching out to nasty folks. picking up after someone trashes things.
Changing diapers in the nursery. Sopping up vomit from the ill. Jesus really hit us between the eyes with that, because we ALL have those things we'd rather die than do.
And die we must.
D--
By Higher Up, Further In, at 6/21/2006 11:23 AM
D, I love the phrase you used, 'caring for people in uncomfortable ways'. This is demonstrating love in a way that a watching world cannot miss. It causes people to take notice when we serve to this degree. Like I said, challenging!
By Darin, at 6/21/2006 9:55 PM
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