“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside His outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around His waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet…” John 13:3-5

I haven’t been able to shake the scene this week. I’ve wrestled with the image of Jesus, a basin of water, and a towel for years but there is something about the verses above this week that brought beautiful peace. Jesus…knowing where He came from and where He was going chose to wash feet. He chose to serve. He chose to love knowing the outcomes. He washed the feet of Judas who would betray him and Peter who would abandon him. He invites us to experience His love. He gives us the ability to give His love. He invites us to HIS table (Matt 11:28). He reminds us that we are known by Him. We were knitted together by Him (Psalm 139:13). We were made in His image (Gen 1:27). We are going back to Him (John 14:2&3). We are not orphans (John 14:18) but sons and daughters of the Father (2 Cor 6:18). He cleanses us in the whispers of His words (Eph 5:26). At His table He reminds us of so much in Him (John 14:26), and then tells us “I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” - John 13:15. The response to love, the outcome, isn’t the focus. Look at the differences in the responses of Judas and Peter. Jesus is where our eyes are fixed (Heb 12:2). To love, to know (ginosko) this love that surpasses knowledge (Eph 3:19). To serve with a quiet strength and passion that is found in knowing the love of whose we are, what we’ve been given, and where we are going. 

He’s equipped us. He’s equipped us to love, to serve, to be a living sacrifice, to overcome evil with good (Rom 12). So bring it all to the table. There is a chair that waits for you. Take time to listen to this beautiful song. "To the Table" - Zach Williams

* The original post was shared 04/19/2025. This photo and these words were added the following day. 04/20/2025. Easter Sunday. I stepped out of my front door to play basketball with my boy and literally gasped. The sky. I've stepped out to a rainbow before. I've stepped out to Northern lights before. This one almost equally as meaningful. The rays of light were incredible. The photo does not do the beauty justice. I just kept looking at the sky. The enemy thought he won. Reality however, he was defeated and we were all given access to the most incredible light. "For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." - 2 Cor 4:6. A "treasure in jars of clay" - 2 Cor 4:7-18. To know where we came from. To know what we've been given. To know where we are going. May you shine the love of Jesus everywhere you go.