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So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
John 13:4-5
There is a movie that was released this year called Jesus Revolution. Here is a quick synopsis of the movie if you haven’t seen it. The Hippies of the 1960’s are finding Jesus. The Christian’s of the 1960’s aren’t having it or them. While the lead pastor is trying to reach the unreachable, most of the congregation is not wanting any part of it and using any excuse such as “their dirty bare feet are ruining the carpets”.
At the next service gathering, the lead pastor chooses to exemplify Christ by washing the feet of the hippies as they enter the worship center in front of the congregation who stands by doing nothing. The lead pastor could have had them all go to the side of the building and wash their feet with a hose, but he chose to do things the way Christ did; through humility and acceptance. With a bowl and cloth, he washed their feet. Not shaming them. Not making them stand out. He offered them a seat at the table. Just like Jesus. Acceptance without shame. Love without works.
Paul instructs us in Colossians 3:12 "to dress ourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." We are to put on the attributes of Christ. I love how The Message translates this verse: "So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it."
Are we clothing ourselves with these attributes? Who are the "hippies" of today and are we compassionate and kind to them? Are we gentle and patient? Are we quick to forgive an offense? Are we humble and grateful that Christ demonstrated compassion and kindness to us? Do we love them?
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 14:16b
There is a line spoken to the Pastor close to the end of the movie which says, "You let the hippies in. Who knew that Jesus would come with them."
Dear God, may we love like You love. May we love like that. May we love like Jesus and never be without it. In Jesus name, Amen.
This is my commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. John 15:12
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