Daily Bread John 13
Daily Bread John 13
Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
1It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
2The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7Jesus 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!"
10Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
Observation:
As the time grew near for Jesus to take up the final part of his mission, the passage today says, “He showed them the full extent of his love”. From the time Jesus began, until the end, he was about showing the world God’s love. In this instance, Jesus took the role of a servant, washing their feet in a water basin and drying them off with a towel
Peter was so proud, perhaps of himself, or perhaps of Jesus, that he refused to have his feet washed. Jesus makes clear that unless Peter receives His service, that he has no part in him. Of course, Peter, ever the impulsive one, says “Then wash my whole body”. Jesus lets him know that this was not the point.
Application:
This was a defining moment for the message Jesus would leave with his disciples. True power comes by being a servant. True leaders are willing to serve those whom they lead. And importantly, good leaders are willing to receive service from others. One of the greatest gifts we can give someone else is to accept their service to us in Jesus’ name.
This is how the Christian community is supposed to operate. We serve one another in love, as Jesus showed in his example today. There is nothing beneath us, as we look to do this for each other. There is no task too lowly for a Christian. There is no pride in position in the Christian community. Nobody arrives. We have arrived when we are willing to do whatever it takes for our brother or sister in Christ.
Who is Jesus calling you to serve today? Will you take off your outer garment, fill the basin with water, and dry their feet? No greater love does a person have than they lay down their life for their friends. We will be blessed if we follow Jesus’ example. And we will be a blessing to others as we accept their service toward us.
Prayer: Jesus thank you for showing us want a servant leader looks like. Keep us from pride that would say this or that is beneath us. Help us to pick our basin and towel and serve our brothers and sisters in love. Amen.
Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
1It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
2The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7Jesus 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!"
10Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
Observation:
As the time grew near for Jesus to take up the final part of his mission, the passage today says, “He showed them the full extent of his love”. From the time Jesus began, until the end, he was about showing the world God’s love. In this instance, Jesus took the role of a servant, washing their feet in a water basin and drying them off with a towel
Peter was so proud, perhaps of himself, or perhaps of Jesus, that he refused to have his feet washed. Jesus makes clear that unless Peter receives His service, that he has no part in him. Of course, Peter, ever the impulsive one, says “Then wash my whole body”. Jesus lets him know that this was not the point.
Application:
This was a defining moment for the message Jesus would leave with his disciples. True power comes by being a servant. True leaders are willing to serve those whom they lead. And importantly, good leaders are willing to receive service from others. One of the greatest gifts we can give someone else is to accept their service to us in Jesus’ name.
This is how the Christian community is supposed to operate. We serve one another in love, as Jesus showed in his example today. There is nothing beneath us, as we look to do this for each other. There is no task too lowly for a Christian. There is no pride in position in the Christian community. Nobody arrives. We have arrived when we are willing to do whatever it takes for our brother or sister in Christ.
Who is Jesus calling you to serve today? Will you take off your outer garment, fill the basin with water, and dry their feet? No greater love does a person have than they lay down their life for their friends. We will be blessed if we follow Jesus’ example. And we will be a blessing to others as we accept their service toward us.
Prayer: Jesus thank you for showing us want a servant leader looks like. Keep us from pride that would say this or that is beneath us. Help us to pick our basin and towel and serve our brothers and sisters in love. Amen.
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