“Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not know now, but afterward you will understand.”” (John 13:7, RSV)
While washing the feet of the disciples, Peter balked at the idea of Jesus functioning as a servant. Peter forbade Jesus to wash Peter’s feet. Jesus demanded Peter submit to this show of servitude saying, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (John 13:8). Peter then changed his tune, asking Jesus to wash his feet, hands, and head in a sign of perfect submission.
Nestled within this conversation between Peter and Jesus is located the scripture for today. In John 13:7, Jesus cautions Peter, “What I am doing you do no know now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter thought Jesus was doing the work of a servant by washing Jesus’ feet. Peter thought this action was too lowly for the Son of God! However, Jesus used that precious moment of washing the disciples’ feet to show His followers the importance of service and humility and respect. In a way, Jesus was also washing the dirt of the world off the feet of the disciples. This was often done in the ancient world to prepare a person to enter a holy place or a holy time. No doubt, it was a holy time for the disciples as Jesus was to be crucified and resurrected in mere days. So too, the disciples were in a holy place, Jerusalem, for the coming of the Passover celebration. There are so many symbols and layers of meaning in Jesus’ action and words that day. The disciples could not comprehend all that was happening and all that was coming to pass.
But, hidden within this little verse (John 13:7) is a play on words used by Jesus to convey a point. Very, very, very few people know of this play on words. If you look very closely at the sentence of Jesus, you might pick up a hint of its presence. Let me explain what I mean.
Why didn’t Jesus say “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand”? The English Standard version of the Bible even translates it this way, which I believe is a mistake. You see, the reason that the word “understand” should not be used twice in the sentence is because Jesus uses 2 different words for understanding or knowledge in this small verse. In that moment, Peter does not “know” what is happening. The word used in Greek here means “to know or discern”. In a sense, Jesus is saying that Peter lacks real discernment of what is happening in his conversation with Jesus. Soon, he will come to “understand” what is happening. That is why in the second half of the scripture Jesus uses a different Greek word for knowing or understanding. At that moment, Peter doesn't KNOW AND UNDERSTAND Jesus' teaching. Soon, Peter will “get it”. He will comprehend the importance of that moment of foot-washing and come to realize what Jesus meant with his words. It was not enough for Peter to hear Jesus or know Jesus. He had to discern Jesus’ meaning and then put together what Jesus was really doing and saying. In essence, Peter didn’t “get” what Jesus was trying to do. But soon, he would understand. Soon, he would realize more fully what he was missing in that moment.
There will be times when you do not “get” what God is saying to you in the moment. You may not comprehend what the Holy Spirit is whispering in your ear. Your emotions may be so caught up in something significant in your life that you may completely miss God’s presence or misconstrue what God is teaching you. Later, you might understand. Later, you might see how God worked a miracle or taught you a lesson or reached out to you or forgave you. However, there will be times when you missed the point. You didn’t “get it”.
Over time, God has a way of teaching you valuable lessons, even when you don’t quite understand what God is doing in a crucial moment of your life.
Martin Luther, the famous reformer, considered going into law for his career. His family had roots in law practice. No doubt, Luther could find a place in his city for a law practice or some related career. However, Luther also had a nagging feeling that God wanted him to enter the ministry. At a crucial time in Luther’s life, he was leaning toward going into law when he traveled back to the university. On that day, a thunderstorm came up suddenly. Lightning struck nearby. Luther was shocked at how close he had been to death. In the next few moments and hours, it bothered Luther that death was so near. It changed his way of thinking. He vowed to enter the ministry. Soon, he enrolled in advanced classes in the Bible and theology. It was a turning point in Luther’s life.
When Luther started his journey back to the university, he had no idea the huge turn his life would take. That thunderstorm, that moment in his life, changed his view of everything. Only later did he comprehend how that storm changed the trajectory of his life. Only later did he understand fully how God was taking him on a different path for a different purpose.
You can never fully know the workings of Almighty God. Now and then, you will catch glimpses of God’s actions or signs of God’s presence. You may not understand why God is leading you in a direction, why your prayer life has been struggling, why a person called you out of the blue, or why a change in circumstances so changed your attitude. God has a way of helping you understand what you cannot know. God wants you to have those “Aha!” moments when important thoughts and values and directions become clearer. God wants you to “get it”. God will work toward helping you understand HIS purpose in your life.
One December day, I realized that I was running out of money for schooling. I considered dropping out, getting a full-time job, or leaving seminary. A day later, I got a letter in the mail. I was informed that I was awarded a scholarship that contained just enough money to pay my next semester’s bills. Funny thing about it was that I never applied for that scholarship, was never told about the scholarship, and was nominated for the scholarship by a person I didn’t even know! Only later did I realize how close I came to leaving seminary, leaving ministry, and maybe never coming back. I might never have been ordained if I had not received that scholarship that I never applied for, never knew about, and was offered by someone I didn’t know! Isn’t it interesting and amazing how God works!?
You may not know what God is doing. You may not understand or comprehend the hand of God. But, with time and patience and a strong relationship with God, you will begin to see the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life. You will be able, like Peter, to comprehend God’s action… some day. It will not be until heaven that you realize more fully the many ways God touched your life. However, just know that God desires you to “get it”. God wants you to understand His work within and around you. Don’t let your circumstances or obstacles or trials deter you from knowing that God will help you understand what you are facing. God will help you comprehend your place. You will “get it” someday IF you are willing to faithfully follow the will of God!
Nestled within this conversation between Peter and Jesus is located the scripture for today. In John 13:7, Jesus cautions Peter, “What I am doing you do no know now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter thought Jesus was doing the work of a servant by washing Jesus’ feet. Peter thought this action was too lowly for the Son of God! However, Jesus used that precious moment of washing the disciples’ feet to show His followers the importance of service and humility and respect. In a way, Jesus was also washing the dirt of the world off the feet of the disciples. This was often done in the ancient world to prepare a person to enter a holy place or a holy time. No doubt, it was a holy time for the disciples as Jesus was to be crucified and resurrected in mere days. So too, the disciples were in a holy place, Jerusalem, for the coming of the Passover celebration. There are so many symbols and layers of meaning in Jesus’ action and words that day. The disciples could not comprehend all that was happening and all that was coming to pass.
But, hidden within this little verse (John 13:7) is a play on words used by Jesus to convey a point. Very, very, very few people know of this play on words. If you look very closely at the sentence of Jesus, you might pick up a hint of its presence. Let me explain what I mean.
Why didn’t Jesus say “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand”? The English Standard version of the Bible even translates it this way, which I believe is a mistake. You see, the reason that the word “understand” should not be used twice in the sentence is because Jesus uses 2 different words for understanding or knowledge in this small verse. In that moment, Peter does not “know” what is happening. The word used in Greek here means “to know or discern”. In a sense, Jesus is saying that Peter lacks real discernment of what is happening in his conversation with Jesus. Soon, he will come to “understand” what is happening. That is why in the second half of the scripture Jesus uses a different Greek word for knowing or understanding. At that moment, Peter doesn't KNOW AND UNDERSTAND Jesus' teaching. Soon, Peter will “get it”. He will comprehend the importance of that moment of foot-washing and come to realize what Jesus meant with his words. It was not enough for Peter to hear Jesus or know Jesus. He had to discern Jesus’ meaning and then put together what Jesus was really doing and saying. In essence, Peter didn’t “get” what Jesus was trying to do. But soon, he would understand. Soon, he would realize more fully what he was missing in that moment.
There will be times when you do not “get” what God is saying to you in the moment. You may not comprehend what the Holy Spirit is whispering in your ear. Your emotions may be so caught up in something significant in your life that you may completely miss God’s presence or misconstrue what God is teaching you. Later, you might understand. Later, you might see how God worked a miracle or taught you a lesson or reached out to you or forgave you. However, there will be times when you missed the point. You didn’t “get it”.
Over time, God has a way of teaching you valuable lessons, even when you don’t quite understand what God is doing in a crucial moment of your life.
Martin Luther, the famous reformer, considered going into law for his career. His family had roots in law practice. No doubt, Luther could find a place in his city for a law practice or some related career. However, Luther also had a nagging feeling that God wanted him to enter the ministry. At a crucial time in Luther’s life, he was leaning toward going into law when he traveled back to the university. On that day, a thunderstorm came up suddenly. Lightning struck nearby. Luther was shocked at how close he had been to death. In the next few moments and hours, it bothered Luther that death was so near. It changed his way of thinking. He vowed to enter the ministry. Soon, he enrolled in advanced classes in the Bible and theology. It was a turning point in Luther’s life.
When Luther started his journey back to the university, he had no idea the huge turn his life would take. That thunderstorm, that moment in his life, changed his view of everything. Only later did he comprehend how that storm changed the trajectory of his life. Only later did he understand fully how God was taking him on a different path for a different purpose.
You can never fully know the workings of Almighty God. Now and then, you will catch glimpses of God’s actions or signs of God’s presence. You may not understand why God is leading you in a direction, why your prayer life has been struggling, why a person called you out of the blue, or why a change in circumstances so changed your attitude. God has a way of helping you understand what you cannot know. God wants you to have those “Aha!” moments when important thoughts and values and directions become clearer. God wants you to “get it”. God will work toward helping you understand HIS purpose in your life.
One December day, I realized that I was running out of money for schooling. I considered dropping out, getting a full-time job, or leaving seminary. A day later, I got a letter in the mail. I was informed that I was awarded a scholarship that contained just enough money to pay my next semester’s bills. Funny thing about it was that I never applied for that scholarship, was never told about the scholarship, and was nominated for the scholarship by a person I didn’t even know! Only later did I realize how close I came to leaving seminary, leaving ministry, and maybe never coming back. I might never have been ordained if I had not received that scholarship that I never applied for, never knew about, and was offered by someone I didn’t know! Isn’t it interesting and amazing how God works!?
You may not know what God is doing. You may not understand or comprehend the hand of God. But, with time and patience and a strong relationship with God, you will begin to see the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life. You will be able, like Peter, to comprehend God’s action… some day. It will not be until heaven that you realize more fully the many ways God touched your life. However, just know that God desires you to “get it”. God wants you to understand His work within and around you. Don’t let your circumstances or obstacles or trials deter you from knowing that God will help you understand what you are facing. God will help you comprehend your place. You will “get it” someday IF you are willing to faithfully follow the will of God!