JOHN 13:1-7 – Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”

THEME OF THE DAY. TRUST AND OBEY.  This wasn’t the first time Jesus’ disciples scratched their heads as He did something.  Whether it was His miracles, profound teaching, or His handling of broken sinners, the disciples were slow in understanding the ways of the Lord. In today’s scripture is one more of those times.

Let’s pull up a place in this intimate setting and observe as Jesus silently washes His disciples’ feet.  What was going through their minds? What is going through ours? Jesus doesn’t get up and say, “Here is what I am about to do.  Pay attention and listen as I discuss the purpose.”  No, He doesn’t clear up their curiosity or confusion.  Not a word is spoken.  The actions are loud enough, but there is something very important He teaches His disciples and us that goes beyond the obvious lesson of humble and sacrificial service.  It is found in Jesus’ response to Peter, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”  The lesson?  God doesn’t always reveal why He is doing what He is doing in our lives upfront or even while the work is unfolding.  And this causes us spiritual problems.  If we don’t think so, consider this for a moment.  Have we ever been going through a tough time, an intense trial, or difficult relationship and we cry out of our pain, “Father, why is this happening?”  This is part of our frailty; our sinful weaknesses.  When we are quick to ask God “Why” questions in challenging situations what is often behind our “why” is the desire for deliverance and comfort.  And should neither come, we tend to question God in His dealing with us because we don’t understand His dealing with us.

Friends, exercising faith in the Lord demands we trust His ways without understanding His ways. If we need to understand everything God is doing in our lives as He is doing it, then we are not walking by faith and the Word says, “Without faith, it is impossible to please Him” (Hebrews 11:6).  Yet, God is so kind and gentle when we struggle with exercising faith in His ways while we lack understanding of His ways. In dealing with Peter, Jesus doesn’t belittle him for struggling with this tension. With great compassion, He says, “Peter, trust me.  You may not understand now what I am doing, but you will soon.  Trust my character, my Word, and my commitment to you.”   And God will deal with us in like manner.

Always remember God is love; is good; full of mercy; delights in bestowing grace upon us; and every one of His ways are for our benefit, even when we don’t immediately understand His ways, we may confidently trust His ways.

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PRAYER: “Father, help me to always trust Your ways even when I don’t understand Your ways.”

QUOTE: “Obeying God does not require perfect understanding just child-like faith and action.”