"In The Name of Love" - 2

Now, if you thought I was going to start and compare Judas Iscariot with the wicked heart, well let's just say that I don't need to, because Jesus clarified that after, while they broke bread together. But what I believe Jesus is demonstrating in the foot washing example, is an act of compassion towards one another. It really comes down to caring for the burdens of one another; which are not necessarily the physical ones, but more the spiritual ones; the burdens that are carried due to sin. One of the problems that we are facing in our churches today has to do with caring for one another in a way that shows compassion. I know that some of you may wonder what I am talking about, but after you have been in leadership for ten or more years, you see things which go unnoticed in the general congregation. The reality is, that we spend more time talking about the sins of others, than praying for others that are dealing with sin. It is just that way because we are so sinful ourselves, that we get almost gleeful when others can be made to look worst. However, as I have said before, we are One in Christ Jesus, which means that when we hurt our brother or sister by our actions, which are mostly set against their good, then we are actually hurting ourselves in the process. If Jesus was actually demonstrating what I think that He was, then the act of caring for one another involves humility; which means to become lower in stature for the sake of another. In the culture of that time, those that would wash the feet of another, did it as an act of showing respect to the position which that person held over them. For example: if a nobleman came to your home for a visit, then out of respect for that position which they had over you, you would wash their feet as a sign of humility and servitude. This was the reason for Peter to have such a sharp rebuke for Jesus to wash his feet. We that are the Body of Christ have all been justified by the blood of Christ, which has washed our bodies in whole, including our very souls; however, the need to wash parts of the body will be a constant issue, and involves sanctification. Now then, the point of betrayal begins when a brother or sister confines in us a need for prayer or cleansing, and then we share that need with others. Maybe you don't quite see the connection between the betrayal of Jesus and the betrayal of a brothers trust. I think the reason that so many in leadership positions have such a battle with sin, is that they do not feel that they can share their burdens with others in confidence, because they know how things work in the 'network of the church'. Please don't get mad when I say this, but sharing a brother's burden with your wife is not keeping it to yourself!!! "Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for I Am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." (John 13:13-15)