Thursday, March 20, 2008

Servanthood

Today is Maundy Thursday and Chowder had 2 different services he had to do. The second one was at 7pm which is the same time as bedtime in our house. Rather than struggle through a service with the kids where they probably would not even grasp the story, I stayed home with them. At prayer time we all climbed into my bed and I took out the bible to read about the night before Jesus died.

We talked about the Passover meal and how important it was for Jesus to celebrate this last feast with his friends. We talked about how he knew he was going to die and about Judas and Peter. Then we talked about what Jesus did next. How he took off his outer garments and tied a towel around his waist and filled a bowl with water and went to each of his followers and washed their feet. We talked about how people traveled in those times and how dirty people's feet were and how surprising it would have been to the disciples that the Messiah would kneel down at their feet and take those dirty, scabby, cracked feet (this was followed by an appropriate chorus of ewwwwwwws) in his own two hands and gently wash them.

I asked them if they didn't find it surprising, too. That God, the King of Heaven, would kneel down to wash their feet. To do such a demeaning job. Jellybean looked at me confused. She didn't find it surprising at all. Trying to help her understand this great gesture of servanthood, how low Jesus sank to perform this task, I asked her, "What kind of person would do this kind of thing?" I was asking this question with the intention of prompting her to answer, "a servant." But, then she stole my breath away. In the most matter-of-fact, how-could-you-be-so-dense way, she answered, "A mother."




of course.
In this child's mind, God wasn't demeaning himself. He was simply caring for his people. Just like any loving parent would do. He wouldn't be disturbed by my scabs or my dirt. He would simply take them in his loving hands and gently wash them clean.


16 comments:

Julie said...

My heart is weeping at the sweetness of that. So, so sweet.

gem said...

Wow. That is really lovely, and so apt. Once more I have been given a new outlook on a very familiar story. Thanks for that.

Julianne said...

You have just opened my eyes to the sweetest, obvious answer. Thank you Cakes.

Julianne, jcrew from LOK

Anonymous said...

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

- Samiam

Rachel said...

Beautiful....thanks for sharing!

Jenni said...

Oh that daughter of yours! For all your self-abasement, Cakes, you are obviously shining beautifully for her. I pray it's true of me for my kids too...

Tears in my eyes over this post!

Nine-Arrows said...

"He wouldn't be disturbed by my scabs or my dirt. He would simply take them in his loving hands and gently wash them clean."

Fantastic insight, Kate, and TRUTH! I can't think of anything better to hold onto!

Mel said...

I love our children, yours, mine and children everywhere. Thats is so precious.
I love our Jesus too, humble and beautiful and all loving.

Niki said...

What a beautiful, beautiful thought! And a new way of thinking about this part of the Easter story. Thanks Cakes and Jellybean! I had a little cry when I read it. (And surely would have cried a little longer if my daughter had not walked up and offered me a lick of her tootsie pop sucker!)

Anonymous said...

beautiful.

Ashley said...

What a beautiful story. Sounds to me as if Jesus whispered in your daughter's ear - I don't know how old she is but she's wise beyond her years. What a wonderful way to think of His love, and the blessings we all have in being someones mother.

Anonymous said...

�Truly, I say to you, unless you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.��Matthew 18:3-4

Beautiful. Truth through the eyes of a child. Thank you for sharing.

Mel said...

Hurry up and do a new post, we need to know how you are doing.
Trust Sweeting is all fine and all those blondies?

Jenny said...

A beautiful story.

Geggie said...

Lovely. I'm reminded to have child like faith to to be a servent to the Lord.

Anonymous said...

Kate, how enlightened your children are. And it's a testament to your love for them. You humble me and so does your sweet Jellybean!

Lakshmi