Far, far away, in the heart of India, a group of young students are inspired by the life of Jesus
Some label them as “Dalits”—but we refer to them warmly as “brothers” and “sisters”.
They are learning to love one another. This is the mark of a true disciple of Jesus Christ.
Recently, these young students were led in a time of prayer and fasting which was followed by a sacred time in which they washed each other’s feet, a significant lesson that the King of kings and Lord of lords took on the form of a servant and then ascended to glory. It is a sacred lesson they must fiercely hold once they walk home along the dusty, diesel-filled streets of Chennai.
They are becoming something special, because they became Christ’s when He reconciled them through His cross.
So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. (John 13:12-17)
… a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. (Colossians 4:11)
These brothers and sisters, dubbed as Dalits by society, identify with Christ. And Christ identifies with you and me. (“They will know that we are Christians by our love.”) We are enjoined in Christ, His magnificent robes of righteousness replacing our transient labels, castes, and objections.
One day, these brothers and sisters will be the kings and queens alongside whom we reign in God’s kingdom. That is the future we long for, when all things become new. Today, this is why we work, to be present in their lives, because we are members of one another.
