John 13

First off, sorry for not putting up one yesturday, I woke up late, had to go in to work early, and didn't get home till about 9:30 that night, so I was kinda tired... Anywho, the other day we were watching tv and just kinda flipping through channels, and we came accross a gospel movie. I think it was called "The Gospel of John", but i'm not sure.. It seemed to be pretty accurate from the part that i saw. Well, the scene of Jesus washing the disciples feet really stuck out to me, so that's what this is about.

The passage for it is John 13:1-17. I was thinking about it, and I started to realize, this was the last time He had all of his disciples together in an environment where they were all ears to Him before He died, so this was probably something really important to Christ that He wanted to make sure His disciples got. The lesson He wanted to teach was for His followers to above all us, love one another, no matter who you are and who they are. Christ in verses 12-16 says:

"Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed you feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do just as I have done to you. Truly, Truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him."

and later on during the night in verses 34-35 he says:

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

We really need to take this to heart, it seems that a lot of Christian circles have forgotten this commandment. I know that some people are irritating, some people wrong you, some people aren't likeable at all, but who cares? If they are your spiritual brother or sister, love them. This has always been something that's really bugged me, and I've been guilty of it too, but the amount of cutting down and gossip and.. junk that goes on in churches, in Christian schools and organization is unbelievable. Why do we, as family in Christ, do that? Love one another, build eachother up, if someone needs encouragement, give it to them, if someone is struggling w/ something.. physically, emotionally, financially, w/e, help them, if someone is going down the wrong path and is turning away from God, then in love, try to bring them back. As Jesus said, this is how people know that we are His disciples, that we are true Christians.