The Good News for the Day, April 25, 2024
Thursday in the Fourth Week of Easter (282)
Once Jesus finished washing the feet of His followers, He told them:“Here the truth, no employee is more important than the employer, nor is some messenger greater than whatever superior person does the sending.
If you get this—you benefit from doing it. I am not talking about every one of you. I know the persons I have chosen. But it is just so there might be truth in the promise of that Scripture which says: “A friend who has shared my food has turned from me to reject me.”
From now on I am talking to you before it happens, so that when whatever happens, you may believe Who I AM.
Here is the truth: anybody welcoming someone I send is welcoming me. Likewise, anybody welcoming me is welcoming the One who sent me.” (John 13)
Repeatedly, Jesus is managing to convey his temporal and limited humanity – betrayal, the passage of time, in the beginning and after – along with his oneness with the creator, the timeless Lover involved in the world of time
It’s not about believing doctrines, but an awareness of the presence of Jesus – and you – being sent into time to include you into the loving permanent timelessness of God.
The presence of Jesus is the presence of God – Jesus is not simply someone sent on a mission apart from the sender, but one who brings the very presence of the sender to you and me – awakening in ourselves this awareness of the presence of God among us. The people you love and who love you is someone sent by Jesus. They tell you the truth. They challenge you and comfort you. They inspire and lift you out of your darker habits and mistaken principles. And you do the same for them.
This is true, mutual love which Jesus is calling all of us to do.
Such loving people in your circle inspire you to be a better person, more forgiving, understanding, and helpful.
If someone inspires you to be hateful, disdainful of others, superior to what is disagreeable or uncomfortable, hardhearted, and invulnerable to fresh challenges or truth – such a person is, as mature people know, no true friend. Jesus implies that that person is somehow a betrayer of your true self – once mutually nourishing, there, like Judas, someone finding their pay, their benefit, elsewhere than your love.
You and I, sooner or later, realize we have been sent into this time and place to benefit the world around us. Exactly like Jesus – to BE Jesus for our time and place.
Each of us has a role as part of the Messiah to deal positively, lovingly, and with understanding toward the people and circle around us. We are called to be not apathetic and indifferent, but a light and warmth for those who need enlightenment and love.
Let us find that joy which Jesus has shared in healing, helping, and serving your neighbor – the next person in line, receptionist, stranger – anyone in need.
jorisheise 