Psalms 53, 55, 58; John 13:1-20

Traveling out of town to gather with a dwindling, disconnected, and sometimes dysfunctional family on the hottest day of the year for a few hours of making or reinventing family memories is generally not my idea of summer fun.  So how did I get roped into heading up this chaotic, annual event?  I wish I could say that I, like Jesus, have purposed to be a servant to all these relatives by washing the feet of even those who I know will have something negative to say about the preparations, the location, the food, the noise, the decorations, etc.   Unfortunately, I’ve too often been the one to judge the success or failure of past reunions, so I know what to expect and I suppose deserve to receive.

The more distant relatives will not cause much concern.  What I am not sure I can take this year, however, is the betrayal of parent, sibling, or dearest aunt or cousin.  I fear that, you know, due to past experience.  The thought of losing the loyalty of those I count on for support is dreadful and yet half expected.

King David writes in Psalm 55:12-14 about the unbearable pain he suffered knowing his companion, the one who even worshiped the Lord with him, had become his enemy.  How is it that someone who has “taken sweet company” with us can turn against us?  I know a few reasons.  It begins with a teasing remark or an unintentional slight that is nursed into a major offense.  Then there are others willing to take up the offense and continue passing along poisonous tales.  Soon our closest confidante runs with a different group, and we left out.

If only we knew ahead of time so that we would not have invested so much of our time and energy on those relationships or lavished on them our love that was destined to be spurned.  This is my flesh speaking, my reservation, and wrong thinking.  My spirit though looks to Jesus to understand how to bear the hurt of those closest to me.  In John 13:18, we are told that our Lord Jesus Christ knew that Judas would betray Him, even before the deed was done.  He washed the feet of Judas knowing that the heel of this man was lifted up, ready to strike.  This Scripture does not say that Christ was unconcerned or at peace with this foreknowledge; in fact, He later sweats blood praying to His Father for any other way than His death walk for completing His mission on earth.

It is difficult to understand why evil enters into the heart of man and to accept that we will not escape the fallout.  It is not comforting, nor is there peace knowing that evil doers will be judged.  Yet, I settle down when I visualize the hands of the Master who washed the dust of the world off the feet of those whom He loved.  This assurance of His touch is the picture at the picnic I can remember when I greet and eat with all those whom I love and belong.

Janet

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