So...

"Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him." John 13: 3-5

 I like the word "so". It is a simple word yet has so many different meanings depending on how it is used within a sentence. "So" might express a consequence when used as a conjunctive adverb. For example, "My students did good on their math test, so I gave them a piece of candy".  When used as subordinating conjunction, it expresses a purpose. An example of that would be, "So that my students would do well on their math test, I gave them a piece of candy." It can also be used to express an addition, as well as be a form of confirmation or agreement. "So" boasts only two letters but those two letters can say so much, as it does in John 13.

In John 13, Jesus is preparing to eat one of His last meals with his disciples. The weight of what is before Him presses into His spirit. He knows that the cross awaits, and for love to be fully realized He must pour out His life for the sins of mankind. He has lived and now He must die. His gaze lingers on each of His disciples. These ordinary men, who have left it all to follow Him. He loves them. They are His family, and His closest friends. And He knows that His great love for them requires His life, the very breath in His body, and the blood coursing through His veins. But to Him it is worth the price. 

Jesus knows His time draws near. He knows that this world is not His home. He longs for the embrace of His father. He longs to be back in His father's presence. He knows that He is here to fulfill a purpose and once that purpose is fulfilled, He will return to the place from which He came. He has been given all authority by His father. And so, He rises from the table, slips off His robe, wraps a towel around His waist, and pours water into a basin. He will once again show His disciples this life He calls them to, a life of service. A life marked by love. The room grows quiet as the disciples look to see what Jesus is doing. Surely, their Rabbi wouldn't put himself in the role of a servant, and stoop to wash their dust clad feet. Yet, He does. He bows low, picks up one of Judas' feet and washes away the dirt, and then gently dries it with a towel. He continues until He has washed the muck, and caked on grime from each of their feet. This simple yet lowly task will beautifully demonstrate to them His final act of love, the cross. There He will wipe away their sins, and declare them clean, whole, righteous. The full extent of His love realized. And so...

Jesus can demonstrate His love for mankind on the cross because He knows who He is, where He came from, and that all authority has been given to Him. In John 13, the term "so" is used to state purpose. Though the task before Him required His very life, Jesus knew His identity. He was grounded in the love of His Father. 

Jesus calls each of us to a life of purpose. However, we will never be able to fulfill that purpose in our own strength. He wants more for us than we can do on our own. John 14:12 (MSG) says, "The person who trusts me will not only do what I'm doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I've been doing." This is a bold promise. While Jesus walked the Earth, He performed a lot of really neat miracles. He ministered to people, and raised the dead. Yet, He tells us that in the person who trusts Him, He wants to do even greater things. In order for us to do these "greater things" our trust must be in Him and not ourselves. We must realize that our identity is in being His child, and that He has given us authority to do what He has called us to. If I live each day from the position of "daughter of God", I will not be swayed by other people's opinion of me. If I am grounded in God's love, then circumstances and trials will not overcome me because I know that there is purpose in them. And so...where our identity is rooted will determine how we live.

I want to live boldly. I want to be able to serve those around me, even if they have betrayed or hurt me. I want to be humble enough to sink to my knees in order to lift up those around me. I want to go through my day always considering and asking, "How does love requires me to act in this moment?".  But I can't do any of this in my own strength. My flesh will always fail me. And this is where I have to look to the example that Jesus gave me. He did what love required because He knew who He was and where His strength came from. 

As I close, I want to remind you of who you are. You are chosen. You were created on purpose and for a purpose. You are deeply loved. There is a God who loves you no matter what. He pursues you. He wants nothing more than to have a relationship with you. He knows everything about you. He knows your deepest hurts, your darkest secrets, and yet He was still willing to die on your behalf. He wants you.  He promises to never leave you or abandon you. You are the work of His hands, and He created you do to great works. 

So, go live boldly. Live fearlessly. Live loved.