John 13

a poem by Barbara Harmon

What kind of god is this,
who washes feet?
What kind of king
who stoops to cleanse?
They need a conqueror,
a new Lord of the Jews
to ride in like David
and slay 10,000 . . .
May Jehovah's mighty hand
uphold him!
They wanted a victor,
a prince,
a Messiah!
And he . . .
become a servant,
takes up a towel,
kneels
to wash them clean.
Now you are mine, he says.
Do likewise.
What kind of king is this
who calls us from our worst,
pours love into our eyes
and life into our hearts?
Gives. Blesses. Saves.
A king who says to you:
Do likewise.
The one who asks:
Do you understand
what I have done for you?

Barbara Harmon is the owner of Victory Antiques in Belleville, Pa. She and her husband, Jim, attend the Upper Room Worship Center, a new church plant in Belleville. You can read about Barbara's journey "home" back to the Church in the August 2009 edition of Brethren in Christ History and Life.

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