Cell! Totally made my day, week maybe?

So Word was from John 13:1-17 and Luke 22:24-30 on feet washing. Well not really on feet washing feet washing. Didn't touch much on the symbolism with regards to the crucifixion and cleansing that he would bring (v8 - 11), didn't want to overload them. Started sharing with a little on background information, the significance of the last supper occurring during the Passover and on the cultural practice of feet washing (In Palestine it was customary to have their feet washed before a meal since they had only sandals and not covered shoes and walked across dusty and muddy terrain. This task was usually done by servants or wives.)

Jesus knew his time had come.

He knew it was time for Him to leave the world and His disciples (v1). This would be His last act of service unto them (other than death on the cross) before He was about to leave.

Jesus was well aware of his identity.

He knew God gave everything into His hands, that He was from God and that He would be going back to God (v3). He was well aware of His identity and status.

Yet he chose to serve.

Regardless of His identity and status He chose to be the one who serves, and tells the disciples to "let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader the one who serves"(Luke 22:26), contrary to the world's standards. Must have been a really painful lesson for them considering that they were disputing about who amongst them was the greatest.

The motivation was love.

It was all for love. Later in the chapter He gives the disciples the commandment to "love one another: just as I have loved you" (v34) . Going back to v1 of the chapter all this occurred "when Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end."
This also ties in the the other portion of feet washing, that it symbolic of the cleansing Jesus would bring through the crucifixion, which is why he told Peter "If I do not wash you, you have no share with me" and in reference to Judas "Not all of you are clean" for though he was a disciple he chose to reject Jesus and betray him. That was the ultimate act of service and humility. From Philippians 2:7,8 "but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross."
The other portion is where the disciples are told to do just as Jesus had done to them. Of course He wasn't asking them to get crucified for others, but in reference to being the one who serves. And just as Jesus served out of love, so should we. But think about it, isn't that what service is? Isnt it...

... Love in action.

Service is love in action. Service exists because loves does. Anywhere along the way if we lose sight of this service is meaningless. We serve one another in various ways because we love one another. When we start to serve because of responsibilities, obligations etc we really miss the point. This goes beyond serving in church, it's about serving where ever we are for who ever it may be for, friends teachers etc... That was what I hoped they captured and would hold with them as they grow, that their service to others would be born out of love, that their service would really be their love put into actions.



At the end of Word told them about what was happening on Good Friday and that the secondary one segment was looking for volunteers to help out in the changing of water for feet washing. Cedric jumps out of his chair and stands in the middle of the circle and says "ME! I will go and SHARE THE LOVE!" So cute lah hahahaha. Melissa says her sister was helping out as well and asks Joscelyn "we go serve together lah" and Joscelyn goes "ok, you don't pang seh me ah!" Then Cedric approaches me and asks "can I be the one washing the feet instead?" Stunning. Secondary one boy asking if he can wash people's feet. Wow. In the end the whole cell volunteered to serve on Good Friday =)

"You must be very encouraged"
I was very surprised, encouraged of course. Made my day lah these kids, may be made my week even.

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As "Healer" was sung during service today some lines just made me think of some sad news I heard earlier in the day... Neither know them nor can I say I understand the pain, but may things work out in time....

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas

I trust in You
I trust in You

I believe you're more than enough for me

You hold my world in Your Hands