Making Copies

 

T

he copy machine sits on the second floor of the building, just adjacent to the main office.  The little room which houses the copier is always the center of some sort of commotion as people frantically run copies for their next class or are planning ahead for chapter tests or final exams.  From early in the morning until late in the evening, that machine sees us through another day, making literally thousands of copies so we can help our students succeed in the various courses they have chosen to take in our department. 

 

It has always amazed me how I can place one sheet of paper on a piece of glass and then stand back as the machine makes as many copies as I desire, all of them exactly like the master copy.  No matter if the language is French, Spanish, German, Russian, or Portuguese, the machine will make copies of whatever is placed in it.  It works tirelessly, cranking out one copy after another, sometimes even going the extra mile to collate and staple packets comprising several sheets copied on both sides.  Without that machine, we would be dead in the water, up the creek without a paddle, out of gas, well, you get the picture. 

 

Making copies was a very important part of Jesus’ ministry. In fact, one of the last things he commanded his disciples was to make copies.  Jesus, however, wasn’t speaking of a copy machine cranking out reams of paper. Instead, Jesus wanted his disciples to follow his example, to love others with his love, and to share the love of God with everyone, no matter their social or economic standing. 

 

In John 13:15, Jesus makes this short statement, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”  Exactly what example was Jesus addressing?  What did he want his disciples to do?  Perhaps a better understanding of the context of this passage will shed some light on Jesus’ meaning and the truth he wanted his disciples to grasp. 

 

The context for this passage is the Upper Room during the Last Supper. Jesus had just removed his outer garments, arisen from the table, and washed the feet of his disciples.  Foot washing was not the responsibility of the master of the feast; this task was to be performed by one of the master’s servants.  Due to the dusty roads of Palestine, it was a customary gesture for one’s feet to be washed upon entering a home, especially if that person was an invited guest.  However, no master of any household would have taken on that responsibility.  Yet, Jesus got on his hands and knees with a basin of water and washed the feet of his disciples. 

 

We must also understand that this took place before Judas Iscariot, the man who betrayed Jesus, left the room.  He was also there, and Jesus washed his feet as well.  There, just a few hours before Judas would turn him over to the authorities who would seek his death, Jesus took the feet of Judas Iscariot and gently washed the dust from them.  He then dried them with a towel and continued his washing. 

 

This was the example Jesus wanted his disciples to follow.  We are not to consider ourselves too good to take on any task for the Lord and we are never to thumb our noses at any assignment He gives us.  Instead, we are to follow the example Jesus set for us, making copies of his love, his mercy, his grace, and his desire to truly love and serve others. 

 

Are you making copies of this example today?  Does your life give evidence that you have been on your knees with a basin of water washing the feet of those around you, even those who don’t particularly like you and would betray you?   This is the example Jesus set and the example he expects us to follow.  How is the copy machine of your life working today?  Is it sitting idle or is it cranking out copies of God’s love, mercy, and grace so that others will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ?