Today’s Reading: John
12 When He had finished washing their feet, [Jesus] put on His clothes and returned to His place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.
Good morning!
When a parent gives their child a gift, they may not fully realize the full impact or the sacrifice that was made when the gift is given. I remember when our daughter Rachel had an opportunity during high school to receive supplemental vocational training at a local cosmetology school. The tuition was more money than we had in our checking account, and because she had not yet graduated, we were unable to receive a student loan for the up-front fees. Rachel longed to attend, so Jeff and I looked for ways to quickly raise the tuition due. I sold our piano. The money we received for the sale was just enough to pay her enrollment fees. I have never regretted this choice. It was worth the sacrifice, just to see the joy and self-confidence that Rachel received from attending these classes. She loved learning, and it certainly gave her the added motivation to move forward and continue her education beyond high school. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t hesitate to give whatever I had to help my children achieve their fullest potential. Like every parent, we hope that our children will one day step up to the plate in the World Series of life and hit a home run that will make a lasting difference for others.
After Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, He returned to the place at the table and asked a question: Do you understand what I have done for you? Jesus was living proof of the sacrifice He would soon make for the ultimate benefit of humanity. His suffering did not begin on the cross. Leaving a perfect heaven and choosing to enter into an imperfect world; to become the holy atonement for humanity’s sin is almost more than I can understand. What loving parent would give everything they had to save a disobedient and wayward child from total destruction? How far would a parent’s love extend to the prodigal who is lost and cannot find their way home without divine help?
Do you understand the supreme sacrifice that the Father, through Jesus, made for you? How can we begin to thank Him for His gift of unconditional love?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
Faith UMC -
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