Date: May 7, 2020 ()

Bible Text: First Reading: Acts 13:13-25; Gospel: Jn 13:16-20 |

Series:

“…nobody loves us so deeply, so greatly but Him who also tells us to serve and love one another.”

In the last part of today’s gospel reading, John the Baptist, known to be a great prophet, respected by many, in fact mistakenly identified as the messiah, declares his highest regard and esteem toward Jesus, the true Messiah. He said: “I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of His feet.” Even the humblest act of a servant can never be too much to honor the majesty of the True King. That’s how insignificant John the Baptist must have felt before the presence of Jesus.

David, esteemed to be the greatest King of Israel, cannot even be on par with the Royalty of Jesus. We remember how the prophet Nathan scolded King David as he was confronted with His transgression. A prophet can always do these kinds of humiliations and provocation to any King to let them realize their mistakes, but a great prophet like John could only say and do the highest gesture of worship to Jesus.

In our gospel today, Jesus says: “Now I am telling you before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe that I AM…whoever receives me, receives the one who sent me.” Jesus takes to Himself the very identity of His Father. He is the I AM. He is one with the Father. He is God.

But we know how humble was the Great King. He washed the feet of His disciples. He assumed the role of a humble servant who bends His knees and serves everyone. This great King fights for His people not by the sword but by a sacrificial love by which we are all redeemed from the power of death. Jesus is a humble servant-King; a loving Chief of the Army, who is willing to die for His people. He is willing to lose everything only to win us.

Let us stay joyful amid these unfavorable times. Let us join the melody of this day’s psalm: “Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord”…because nobody loves us so deeply, so greatly but Him who also tells us to serve and love one another.