Blessed to Give and Receive

Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).  While this is most certainly true, there is also great blessing in receiving.  What do we have as Christians that we have not received?  We have received great joy in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:11).  1 Corinthians 2:12 states, "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God."  As we read God's Word, the Holy Spirit gives us wisdom and understanding.  All that we have has been freely given to us from God.

God has given us much that we have yet to receive.  There are often conditions which must be met before we can receive what God freely offers.  If we will be honest, we are not always initially willing to meet His conditions.  Whether it be pride, ignorance, or foolishness, no one hinders us from receiving of God's goodness more than ourselves.  A prime example of this is seen in the upper room when Jesus girded Himself with a towel, taking the lowest role of a servant, and washed the disciples' feet.  When Jesus approached Peter to wash his feet, Peter would have none of that!  John 13:6-8 tells us, "Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You washing my feet?" ⁷ Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this." ⁸ Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me."

Given the culture of the day, it is unlikely that Peter took issue with someone washing his feet.  He took issue with the idea of His Master, Jesus the Messiah, washing his feet!  Being the Master, this should not be done!  Peter didn't understand.  It didn't make any sense.  He flatly refused to submit to Jesus washing him.  "You shall never wash my feet!"  Then Jesus said, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with me."  Being washed by Christ was a condition of identifying, following, and being a partaker in His kingdom.  After hearing this, Peter backpedaled.  If that was the case, Peter asked that Jesus wash not only his feet, but his hands and head.  Peter was loyal to Jesus and loved Him.  He did not want Jesus to embrace dishonour by stooping to the role of a slave, for He was the Son of God.  But those who would honour Christ must obey Him.  They must submit to being washed by Him.

John 13:12-17 reads, "So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? ¹³ You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. ¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. ¹⁶ Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. ¹⁷ If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."  When Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, He gave them a living illustration and example.  He was their Lord, supreme in authority being God made flesh.  Yet Jesus humbled Himself and washed the feet of the disciples.  He even washed the feet of Judas who would that very night betray Him.  Jesus came to earth not be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:25).  As His followers, Christians are called to go and do likewise.  We are called to serve, to give, and to allow others to minister to us in Christ's name.

In washing the feet of the disciples, Jesus did more than remove the dust from feet.  He set an example for all to follow.  There is no job too low for Christ's followers.  No matter the need:  whether it is cleaning toilets, washing feet, dumping a bedpan, praying fervently for an enemy, giving sacrificially, we ought to serve as Christ did.  The example of such a servant is seen in Paul's description of a widow in1 Timothy 5:10:  "...well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work."  We all admire those who are humble servants, graciously giving and serving in Christ's name.

But here's the rub:  all the things the woman did to serve were for people who were willing to receive.  Every time she did a good work in lodging strangers there was a stranger willing to lodge with her.  Every time this widow washed feet there were people who were willing to allow her to wash their feet.  All those afflicted people she relieved needed to be willing participants.  What if there were some who refused to allow this widow to serve them because she was an old widow?  Perhaps she generously offered money to people who refused to take it from her hand because she was on a fixed income!  Are there numbered among us those too proud to receive from a widow's hand?  What she does unto you she does unto Christ!  Should we rob her of such a great reward and testimony for God's glory?  Some of us are fine with receiving forgiveness and eternal life from Christ for our sins which at one time doomed us to hell, but we will not receive aid from a brother or sister freely offered for God's glory.  God forbid that we would even ask for help or allow anyone to know we are struggling!  If we will receive from God eternal benefits and blessings, shouldn't we be willing to receive them from others?

It is more blessed to give than to receive.  As we have received from the LORD, so let us give!  May we be those who are humble both to give and receive for God's glory.