Ready for life and preparing for death—glimpses of why he came
By Dean Collins
I read John chapter 13 today, as a part of my daily reading through the Bible. It’s not a typical Advent passage, but I see meaning in it for us as we prepare for the birth of Jesus, as we ponder again how his entry into our world has changed everything, and as we ready ourselves for his return to earth at a time we do not know.
We do know this familiar story, though. The 12 have come to celebrate Passover with Jesus. The table is prepared, and the disciples of Jesus settle in, sitting and lying around the table. None of them noticed the pitcher and bowl by the door. They are consumed with the rising tensions of recent days and hope for distraction as they spend time together with Jesus celebrating a familiar event in their shared history.
Ordinary circumstances, extraordinary announcement
With Christmas rapidly approaching, we may find ourselves making a similar oversight. The last bite of pumpkin pie after Thanksgiving seems to accelerate the arrival of Christmas. There is so much to do at work and at home with all of the normal daily tasks. And now we have added the pressure of Christmas and all the expectations that come with it. Like the disciples around the table of the last supper, we too may fail to notice important aspects of preparation. We likely fail to see pitchers of water, bowls, and towels.
It’s worth noting how the ordinary accompanied the extraordinary first coming of Jesus. The shepherds were on the night shift when the angels appeared announcing the good news of the Christ-child’s birth. The angel told them they would know they were at the right place when they saw a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
Jesus was treated like every other Jewish baby of his day at birth: washed with water, and wrapped in swaddling clothes. These activities help us see the humanness of Jesus; “the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us,” as John said. But though fully human, Jesus was the Son of God who came as Savior, declared by the prophet Isaiah to rule a kingdom whose government and peace have no end.
Humble privilege, stirring mandate
Now in John 13 just hours before he would lay down his life on the cross, Jesus, whose infant body wore swaddling clothes, took off his outer garment and wrapped himself in a towel as a bondservant and humbly washed the feet of his disciples. The Savior of the world, the King of kings, made clear that his kingdom is one where humble service and care for others is the privilege and the mandate of being his disciple.
Maybe as we prepare for Christmas this year we might consider how in this season we find ways not to ignore the pitcher, the bowl, and the towel. Maybe it is the season when we find ways to use what we have and humbly serve those around us. Our service is not only a gift we offer Jesus, but evidence that we have found the true meaning of Christmas and the true life of those who bear the name of Christ.
Your time with God’s Word
John 13:3-17; Luke 2:12; John 1:14 ESV
Photo by Omar Lopez on Unsplash
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