When Knowledge Grows Up

“It was just before the Passover Feast.  Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father.  Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.  The evening meal was being served...  Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 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...” John 13:1-5

All children dream about what they want to be when they grow up. Take young Knowledge, for instance.  When Knowledge grows up, he wants to be a doer.  After all, he has a good role model ...

Think of all that Jesus knew about his last week on earth. He knew the time had come for him to leave this world. He knew Judas would betray him. He knew Peter would deny him. He knew the Jews would condemn him. He knew the Gentiles would mock him ... insult him ... spit on him ... flog him ... and crucify him. And he knew his Father in heaven would forsake him for one most crucial moment in history.

He knew all of this because he knew the scriptures, which had foretold it. And he trusted that ultimate authority with his life.

So now that his time had come, what did Jesus do? He “showed [his disciples] the full extent of his love”: he washed their feet and taught them humility.

In just a few hours, he would face betrayal, denial, condemnation, torture and execution, so how could Jesus possibly focus his attention on serving and teaching his friends? He could because also knew this: the Father had put all things under his power, he had come from God, and he was returning to God. And knowing the peace and certainty of these promises, Jesus was free to continue serving others in humility, right to the end.

There comes a point in our spiritual life at which “knowing” must mature into “doing.” After Jesus finished washing the disciples’ feet, he said to them, “You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.... Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

Our “Teacher” has taught us his truth; we are forever equipped in heart, mind and spirit. Our “Lord” now sends us to do; the world all around us is our mission field to serve as we are called ... day by day, moment by moment. To some, we bring encouragement. To some, we bring food. To some, we bring salvation. To some, we speak truth into confusion. To some, we simply listen. To all, we bring Truth and Life.

And just as Jesus found peace and freedom in the certainty of scripture, we also serve in the peace and promises of God. We take strength from Paul's assurance to the Philippians, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)”

In most of us, Knowledge has learned enough from the Teacher to go and serve its Lord. It is time for us to let loose the apron strings and let Knowledge go out and be what it has always wanted to be ... what it was raised to be ... a doer.

(To see today's devotional reading, John 13:1-17, 31-35, click here.)