UNKNOWN
UNKNOWN
... To my mind the importance of connecting John 13 with the Supper is very great. It is true we do not get the Supper in what may be called its formal character in this gospel, but we get the essence and vitality of it, and of what is spiritually connected with it. I do not see the difficulty which some appear to have had in connecting feet-washing with the Supper. Is there any moment when the Lord so distinctly detaches our hearts from the influences of the scene through which we are passing as when together to eat His Supper? It is then we experience in a very special way the refreshing power of His own love borne witness of in death. If, on the one hand, we minister to Him, it is also true that He ministers to us. Do we not know in some small measure the reality of His service at such moments as these, and its effect in leading us to enjoy in our feeble measure part with Him.
And, if we learn how His love serves His own, that becomes the pattern and key-note of all our service towards one another. It suggests a peculiar and blessed character of ministry — the outcome of communion with the Lord and the knowledge of what is in His heart for His own — that directly tends to free the saints from every influence that would hinder part with Him, and, at the same time, refreshes and invigorates the feet so that they press on in that “unsullied way which His own hand hath dressed”. It seems to me that all ministry in the assembly would, more or less, be of this character. It is not in any way that it engages you with the soil that has been contracted. It blessedly and completely removes the soil, so that the spirit is free to enter upon and enjoy association with the Son of God — the full height of assembly privilege. I think, what makes a difficulty to some is that the unique service of John 13 and its end are not understood. It is looked upon as something akin to advocacy and as having rather a negative character. But in reality it is the positive and delightful [p. 376] service of the love of Christ — whether in Himself or in His own — in view of the saints entering into full assembly privilege. If this were seen clearly, I do not think we should have any difficulty in perceiving how appropriate is the setting of this service in connection with the Supper.