EM Worship Service (11/25/18)

[Summary]
Jesus, with the knowledge of his going back, loved his disciples to the end. We tend to less love or care when we get to the end. When we move, we less care the old house. Just like Orpah, in Ruth 1, left her mother-in-law, because there is no more hope. However, the true love maintains to the end. Ruth, Joshua, Moses... and even Paul remained committed to their love to the end. That's what Jesus did. It is even more fascinating because Jesus not only knew that he is going to leave, but also his disciples would betray him. Judas Iscariot will hand over Jesus and other disciples will run away or deny Jesus. And knowing all these, Jesus chose to love them to the end. How did he love?
Verse 1 and 3-5 are basically talking about the same thing in different words. The verb 'love' in verse 1 is showing up with the verb 'washing the feet' in verse 5. So Jesus' love was washing his disciples' feet. It is amazing. How can my boss wash my car or do my laundry? It doesn't make sense.... unless he is in love with me. That's what's going on in this passage. Jesus loved his disciples so he served them in the form of a servant. From my personal experiences, when the pastors literally washed the feet of their church members, they wash the feet but do not prepare. Preparing water, basin, and towels are others' job. However, in this story, Jesus totally became the form of the servants. (v.4) This is the love to the end. 
We can also find the reason why Jesus chose to wash his disciples feet instead of other chores that the servants could do. It is because it signifies Jesus death on the cross. Jesus will wash our sins away with his blood. 
​And Jesus tells us that this is an example. This is not an example of washing the feet, It is an example of loving each other to the end. That's why none of his disciples practiced of washing others' feet. But they loved each other to the end. Therefore, this is what we are going to do. Here's what Jesus told in verses 34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

[Announcements]
1. We elected new executive board members for 2019
   -President: William Kim, Vice-President: Jane Ham, Secretary: Justin Park
2. Next Sunday we will have joint service with Youth group at 11:00 because of annual congregational meeting for 2019 budget plan and 장로/권사 election.