God's Gospel Truths
John 13:1-17
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
13 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Pondering Point
Now consider an imaginary conversation between Jesus and a follower of His, maybe even a conversation with you:
Follower: Lord Jesus, bless me.
Jesus: OK, repeat after me.
Follower: ...(waiting)... I'm confused. Repeat what?
Jesus: Repeat what I do.
Do what I do and you will be blessed.
Have you come to believe you will be blessed in doing what Jesus did, in serving rather than being served?
There is blessing in both of course, and we need to learn both giving and receiving service. Without our learning to receive, others can miss out on the blessing of giving Jesus describes.
Jesus often received from others in the forms of meals, housing, and financial support. But while He did so, His focus was on doing for others (often what they could not do for themselves).
This included dying for the sins of men/women that we might become sons/daughters of God. It also included basic kindnesses within His power to help others in day-to-day needs. Basic kindnesses are well within our capacity to serve others too.
Prayer
Jesus, I want to be like you. Help me.
In Your name I pray. Amen.