April 8, 2020
We’re going to jump ahead and get a glimpse into a scene from Thursday of the Passion Week. In the Gospel of John chapters 13-17 make up what is known as the “farewell narrative”. Far more attention is given to this week of Jesus’ life in the gospel of John than any of the other gospels. We encourage you to spend time praying and meditating on these chapters throughout the week. For today we’ll look a well-known scene of Jesus washing His disciples feet. As you read, consider the context and scope of Jesus’ life. With his crucifixion imminent, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples thereby proving His love and devotion to the Father and His people.
John 13:1-20
Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet
1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Jesus says, “I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”Jesus models the way of love and service. How can you reflect this attitude and way of life today and every day?
Today I will serve my wife and daughters first. I will reach out to my parents to let them know I am thinking about them and love them. I will call friends from church, express my concern and care for them. Those I counsel today, I will listen to, empathize with, give guidance, hope, challenge them and share God’s truth/word with them.
Loving others means serving each person the way they need to be served. I will reach out to friends that I know re struggling with being isolated or have fear of our current situation. Although I can not physically be there for them I will pray with them and listen to their concerns. At home I will serve my family by listening to what they are needing
This is such a great reminder to stay in the Word. When I am familiar with Jesus’s example, then I can imitate it. When I read God’s Word it is accessible for application. When I interact with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through prayer, He focuses my mind and actions.
This is what I have control over. This is how I stay focused on Jesus and keep my eyes on Him. The enemy is always crouching at our door, waiting for us to lose focus. Waiting for us to fear or doubt, and then he goes in…he is a diligent opportunist, but the tools our Heavenly Father have given are greater, and He has already won!
Free will, though…I have to choose to accept my gift of salvation. I have to choose Him as my part of the sanctification process.
What a picture of service…praying that I would follow the example Jesus set and love and serve others.
What an opportunity God has blessed us with during this time, being able to serve and love our families and be the example He has set for those in our homes. While reaching out to others, and being an encouragement to them.
I will look for opportunities to serve as Jesus served and show as much love as I am able to show. I pray that everyone looking; sees Jesus love in me me and not the person but his radiant love displayed.
Today I get to serve my dad as he comes home from the hospital. He is anxious and longs for peace – I am expectant that God will do a work in and thru our family so that we are able to model the example of His love, Patience and Grace while my dad is with us. I am thankful that we can watch sermons via live stream so my dad can hear and see the messages!
Do unto others…………Serve others………Look for opportunities to serve.
I can show love, kindness, and be servant to others everyday. For me, it needs to start at home with my family so that these values develop in my kids as they grow to be the ones to lead their generation by example. Outside of the home, serving in some sort of capacity at church is vital to reaching others and having some kind of influence in their lives. Even if the impact you provide is unbeknownst to you, God will know, and that is ultimately what matters.