September 7 | John 13:13-17
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Knowledge, Passion, Action
by Dave Mann
I have heard that for our faith to be true it needs to make an 18-inch journey – from the head to the heart. Knowing the content of the Christian faith is important. Yes, we need to know the truths of Scripture and good doctrine. But we also need to have our hearts engaged as well. Our relationship with the Lord needs to become our passion.
Nonetheless, I would like to propose another short movement for our relationship with the Lord to become genuine and true. It needs to move from our heads to our hearts and then on to our hands and feet. Action! In John 13, after Jesus washes the disciples’ feet, he says, Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Jesus is calling his disciples into action.
Head knowledge is good. The engagement of the heart is good. But Jesus commands us to put our knowledge and passion into practice.
This is not the only place in Scripture where Jesus calls us into action.
Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Luke 8:21 My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.
Matthew 7:24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Why is it that Jesus makes the point of challenging us to put his words into practice? Because there is a blessing awaiting those who act. Following the foot-washing, Jesus makes a promise. He says, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
There is a blessing for the one who kneels and serves other disciples. He/she learns what it is like to be like Jesus.
There is a blessing for the one who builds on the rock by putting Jesus’ teachings into practice. He has a house that keeps standing throughout the storm.
There is a blessing for those who put Jesus’ words into practice. They will be called Jesus’ close relatives.
There is a blessing for those who put God’s word into practice. On the last day, they will stand before Jesus, and he will announce before the world, “I know you; you are mine.”
We need to move from the head to the heart—and then to the hands and feet.
Know it. Feel it. Do it.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I want to know what you call me to know. I want to feel what you call me to feel. I want to do what you call me to do. With your help and the Holy Spirit, may it be so, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DAVE MANN
I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of seven. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.
Thank you for the inspiration: Know it. Feel it. Do it. Direct and to the point. I can do this.
What's key- as you point out is that it's what he calls us to do- either through scripture or through prayerfully directing our steps. Thank you for this encouragenent.
thank you for these insights. I feel as if this should be a coda to every day‘s reading.