A Prayer Before Prayer

Lord, Father, in light of your promises we ask.
We do not ask because we are worthy
for you have created every bit of good within us.
We do not ask because you owe us something
because you have forgiven us our debts.
We do not ask just because of our need
for you have promised to supply our needs.
Rather we ask because it is pleasing to you for us to ask:
as our Lord said, “Keep asking, and you will receive.”
So out of love for your will
and out of love for your glory
we ask and expect to receive.

Washing Feet

“The marvelous example of his humility shone forth when, girt with a towel, the King of Glory diligently washed the feet of the fishermen and even of his betrayer.”

Jesus was less concerned about granting blessings and grace to those who “don’t deserve it” than we. We are always careful to make sure that cheaters don’t gain benefit and that the lazy get what they deserve. Jesus gave his grace to all, deserving or not. Honestly, it takes less energy that way.

The washing of feet represents two rituals: one, a ritual of regular purity, granted by Jesus. This is probably confession of sin.

Secondly, it is a ritual granted to each other, where the one serves the other. This is hospitality, the granting of charity and welcome from one disciple to another. This is how we show that we love each other.

The Lord's Supper

The Lord’s Supper was presented twice—once at the last supper and once, in John, at the feeding of the 5000. One is indicated as a fulfillment of the Passover, the other a fulfillment of the feeding of Israel in the wilderness. It is the Last Supper liturgy that got passed to the majority of the church, as shown in Paul’s recitation of it (I Corinthians 11). Nevertheless, the Lord’s Supper is not just restricted to that specific liturgy in the NT, for Paul is seen fulfilling it in the middle of a storm at sea. The Lord’s Supper isn’t just for church, but for wherever it is needed.

The elements of the Lord’s Supper wasn’t just symbolic food, or a small portion for each. It was a meal. A decent amount of bread and wine for everyone to partake and be full from.

The protestant church divided on the point of the substance of the elements. Allow it to be a mystery, and all divisions cease. Luther was such a stubborn mule.

Entering A New Life

Jesus was baptized, not because he needed to repent, but because his is the way of life we were to follow. We go through the ritual of baptism to show that our old life is dead and we enter into Jesus’ life. Even so, Jesus’ life of quiet submission, working for his keep with his hands, of anonymity, of caring for his family first—all that is dead and he never returns to it. Not that such a life is evil, but it was not where the Father wanted him. Baptism allowed him to enter the kingdom coming instead of remaining in the kingdom passed.