By Judy Villanueva

John 13:3-8
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.

Can you imagine what it would be like to know to the core who you are, where you came from and where you are going?  What would it feel like to know with confidence to Whom you belong and Whose power fills you?  I read this and felt awed at the freedom Jesus experienced to live fully aware and assured that He came from God and would return to God. It empowered Him for whatever God would call Him to do next, whether that would be washing feet, raising the dead, or hanging on a cross.

I love what comes next! Jesus knows that all things are under His power so, He gets up and wraps a towel around His waist!

Is this what is at the center of Divine Love and infinite power — a foot-washer?

Rather than POWER initiating any sort of domination, it inspired Jesus to bow before His creatures and wash their feet!  These were not the feet of kings or conquering warriors. They belonged to young men still figuring themselves out and often, clueless to the One in their midst. I guess they were feet much like yours and mine.

I remember the first time that someone washed my feet. It was at a retreat and all of the participants sat in a circle waiting for…we did not know what?  Then, the priest entered with a bowl of water and a towel and I, like Peter, wanted out of there!  My heart wrenched and my insides cried out, “No! Don’t wash my feet! They are dirty. I’m not worthy!” And, then I heard these words, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me”…and it hit me!  If I cannot let this man of God wash my feet, how will I ever let Jesus die for me?  So I sat back in surrender and as my feet were washed and wrapped, the grace of God enfolded me and the pride within me broke! Tears flowed and my heart filled with gratitude! Then came the realization that this is where I’ve come from and where I will return one day…

to a God who kneels before me to wash my dusty feet, and Who, with all things under His power, hung on a cross to cleanse the whole of me with love.

“Lord, I can hardly contain my tears at the thought of Your love! I feel so far from being like You and it makes me sad. Fill me with foot-washing love so that I might love you back…and love others with the same power and assurance that comes from knowing that I came from You and will return to You, someday. Amen.”

How about you?

How would you feel having your feet washed by Jesus?

Do you feel any hesitation?

Do you know where you came from and where you will return?

Jesus can give you the peace your heart seeks and can be your full assurance that you are loved. Let Him wash your feet.

Worship

By Judy Villanueva

John 10:14
I am the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me.

John 10:27
My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me.

It was the day of our reindeer excursion and as we hiked behind a young, red-haired Scot, I realized that this was not going to be the petting zoo I had expected! When we finally arrived, we found ourselves atop a thousand-acre preserve overlooking fields of grass bowing under the force of the highland winds and littered with the last blooms of heather. After some instructions about what to do and not do around wild reindeer, Zach, our guide and reindeer shepherd, put his hands to his mouth and drew a deep breath! The sound of the call that he bellowed over the landscape gave me the chills and we all stood in silence watching for what would happen next. One after another, reindeer were running toward the sound of their shepherd until close to a hundred magnificent creatures had gathered in anticipation of a morning snack! Zach began telling us their names, their position in the herd, and about their specific personalities. He pointed out Hamish, the dominant male, and Elvis, the young up and comer. He told us about the baby albino and, literally, the number of hairs per square inch that made up their coats!

This experience gave a whole new meaning to Jesus’ words, “I know My sheep.” We aren’t just one of the herd! He knows our names, what we look like, our quirks and unique personalities. He recognizes my crooked smile and your funny toes! Jesus knows us intimately! He knows our strengths, our weaknesses, and the number of hairs on our heads. He knows the parts of us we like to show everyone and the parts that we hide and protect.

He listens for our voices, contented or disturbed, so that He can attend to our needs, guide us and be our place of shelter.

He keeps track of us and knows where we are at all times. He watches over us and protects us, even when we feel alone and on our own. Jesus calls to us in the middle of our days to come to Him…and be fed. The question is, do we hear His voice?

Recognizing the voice of our Good Shepherd is no great mystery, although it sure can feel like it at times! Like all relationships, we grow in familiarity by spending time together. Hearing God may seem ethereal, but His voice becomes clearer, more discernable as we regularly read the Word, pray, and learn to pay attention to ordinary revelation.

We tend to only “count” extraordinary revelation (lightning bolts and the miraculous) but the reality is, God is always speaking and learning to tune in to His voice around us can become a gift of His presence all day long!

The sun rising and setting becomes a declaration of His power, order and goodness. It’s comforting. The Word written on our hearts becomes a whisper that directs us toward truth and God’s will. It’s guiding. Worship music bypasses thinking and sings God’s love over our soul. It’s nourishing. And, the prayers we pray alone or alongside a friend become experiences of talking with God and learning to hear His voice. Pay attention to daily revelations of God’s love, run toward His voice wherever you hear it, and rest…knowing you are known and watched over by our good and faithful Shepherd.

“Jesus, thank you for being my good Shepherd. It touches me to think that you actually know my name, my goofy smile and what is important to me. I want to recognize Your voice in my days. Help me to hear You calling to me through all the ways You’ve created. Help me to stop, listen and run to You. Amen.”

What about you?

Do you know the sound of the Good Shepherd’s voice? Do you recognize His voice when He calls?

How does it feel that God knows you and all your ways?

Where and how do you hear God best?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZjxY0iL2xcGod knows your name and cares about you. Talk to Him and learn to hear His voice.