Dear friends,
I write to you about Easter and about the humility of Jesus at a time when I have been struggling so much to humbly love and serve those nearest to me. Living in community is difficult when we hurt each other and want to run away or just ignore the pain rather than seek reconciliation. Please continue to pray specifically for the community of staff here in Galati, that we will learn to love and serve one another as Jesus has shown us and that we will continue to grow into what He wants us to be. Following is a reflection as well as the lyrics of a song that has been an encouragement for me. May you have a blessed Easter! He is risen!
With love and gratitude,
Rachel
“…He now showed them the full extent of his love
… he got up from the meal,
took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.” John 13:1, 4
At the Last Supper with his disciples, Jesus did something remarkable. He took off his outer clothes and with only a towel to cover him, knelt down and began to wash his disciples' feet. This was Jesus, God Incarnate, unclothing himself and kneeling down to wipe dirt and grime off the feet of his human friends.
A well-known passage on the Incarnation of Jesus (God becoming man) includes the phrase, “he made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant” (Philippians 2:5-11). In Romanian, the first half of this phrase is translated “he undressed himself” or “took off his self”. I only noticed the direct connection between these two passages, from the Gospel of John and from Philippians, after hearing them read in Romanian. At the Last Supper Jesus does exactly what Paul writes; He undresses himself and takes the posture of a household servant.
In the act of the incarnation, as well as the act of washing the disciples' feet, Jesus took off his self, his power, his wealth, his greatness and accepted a position of utter lowliness. He did not lead with horses and armies, but with a young donkey and ragamuffin band of followers. He did not preach with eloquent words or impressive theology, but with parables and illustrations accessible to commoners. He did not rise to power through money or political influence, but through humility and death. Jesus simply took off His clothes, emptied Himself, knelt down and offered His naked body to His quarreling friends.
And after He had washed the disciples feet he said,
“I have set you an example… Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:15,17)
With the Easter season upon us, let us remember with gratitude Jesus' great love for us and the way in which He demonstrated that love, both at the Last Supper and at the cross. Let us follow a life of taking off everything that elevates self, power or pride and let us run to serve our neighbors; especially those who are lowly, weak, poor, handicapped, sick, needy, mourning, or forgotten. Just as Jesus brought us life through His service and death, so will we bring life to others through our loving acts of kindness toward them. And just as Jesus came to life through His humiliating journey to the cross, so will we be brought to life through serving others.
I'm Gonna Walk
The pathway is broken, the signs are unclear
And I don't know the reasons why you brought me here.
But just because You love me the way that You do,
I'm gonna walk through the valley if you want me to.
No I'm not who I was when I took the first step,
And I'm clinging to the promise, You're not through with me yet.
So I follow these trials, bring me closer to You,
And I will walk through the fire if You want me to.
And it may not be the way I would have chosen,
When You lead me through a world that's not my home.
But You never said it would be easy,
You only said I'd never go alone.
So when the whole world turns against me and I'm all by myself,
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help,
I'll remember the suffering that Your love put You through,
And I will walk through the darkness if You want me to.
So when I cross over Jordan I'm gonna sing, I'm gonna shout!
I'm gonna look into Your eyes and see You never let me down!
So take me on the pathway that leads me home to You,
And I will walk through the valley if You want me to.
Yes, I will walk through the valley if You want me to.
Ginny Owens