Love poured out into a basin of water

Twenty-six years ago, on May 9, love poured out to the families of the Westray mining disaster who lost their 26 sons in this horrific tragedy. We will always remember how the county came together to express their grief and to offer support and love to the many who had lost their loved ones.

We who remain will never forget these brave men who went to work in these early days leading up to that tragedy and who wondered which crew would be on duty when the mine would erupt with all the methane gas that was accumulating. When I walk past the memorial to this day, I stop and bow in prayer for those families who remain, mothers without their sons, spouses without their husbands, children without their fathers whose lives would never be the same again.

Jesus too poured out his own love at a time in his life when facing the Cross when he would be laying down his life and making the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. It must have been a very heavy torment for him as he faced the end of his days here on earth. He knew his mission was to do his Father’s will and to pay the price of our redemption so that we could have eternal life. This would for Jesus result in untold suffering.

One of the last acts he did for his disciples is recorded in John’s gospel, Chapter 13: 1-17, and it involved washing his disciples’ feet in a basin of water, drying them with a towel that was wrapped around him. He told Peter who questioned him that unless he consented, then Jesus would have nothing to do with him. Peter replied by saying: “Then Lord, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well.” Jesus told his disciples that he had set for them an example that they should do for others as he had done for them. They were to follow his example as their Master and their Teacher. He concluded his act of love poured out in a basin of water that evening just before his arrest and crucifixion by saying: “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (v.17)

Jesus shared his love and humbled himself by washing even the feet of Judas who would betray him for 30 pieces of silver. This tells me that even when we have sin in our lives we are not forsaken but are given second chances. It is because of his deep love for us that we are among those who are offered forgiveness. We are never left alone to our own devices when we willingly allow Jesus to come into our lives. For the disciples that day, as well as all our days thereafter, we see Jesus reaching out to pour his love upon us. We hear his words that speak to our spirits to show us a more excellent path to follow, a path that leads to his eternal Kingdom that one day awaits us.

I too recently felt God’s love poured out to me by my own family while I went through the loss of my friend Ira. His death occurred on March 20 while I was in Florida. I had written about my friend in this column before and how much he meant to me. We were best friends and true brothers for 49 years and so his death caused by pneumonia came as a terrible shock. We had been talking earlier to each other by phone while I was away and he told me that he hadn’t been feeling well. Though I prayed hard every day he was in the hospital, and though his dear wife Lauretta kept me informed while she was going through her own terrible time of suffering and concern, God saw fit to take Ira to his heavenly home where all tears are washed away and no longer any pain or suffering. I can understand how the disciples and followers of Jesus in his day felt as they saw their beloved Master and Lord being taken from them.

Do you know someone who needs your love and attention today? Perhaps you can show them the love of Jesus by ministering to their needs through an act of mercy and kindness. We all need a friend who helps us through our difficulties, one who is present to encourage us when we are suffering. Jesus tells us today that he has set for us an example that we should do as he has done by pouring out our love for others.

Jesus used a basin of water to wash the feet of His disciples. What will you do this day for others who are waiting for you to pour out your own love?