Please
Read John chapter 13
Key
Verse:
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher,
have washed your feet, you ought also to wash one another’s feet. For I have
given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you” John 13:14-15
[ESV]
Jesus was
very aware that Judas was about to betray Him [verse 2,11,18,21-30]. James and
John had previously demanded places of honor on the right and left hand of
Jesus. Peter would make promises he could not keep and would disown Jesus. The
other disciples would all desert Jesus when He was crucified. In spite of all this,
and at this late hour of His life, Jesus still wanted to teach His disciples a
vital lesson about love and humility.
Before
the meal Jesus took off His robe, took a towel and a bowl, and washed His
disciple’s feet. This was the menial work of a servant. When a guest came to a house
the servant would wash his feet. Jesus chose to wash the disciples feet. It was
the ultimate example of humility. The question might be asked, why did one of
the disciples not offer to do this? Were they so proud?
Jesus
made it clear, that if someone wanted to become great they should become a
servant. In our modern culture we do not do the particular act of washing a
person’s feet, but the principle is still the same – we are called to humbly
serve others.
Questions:
John
13:1 tells us that Jesus showed His disciples the full extent of His love. He
knows the sins we have committed and will commit and yet still loves us. How do
you respond to that kind of love?
In what
way does Jesus want you to reach out and serve others in the way that He humbly
served the disciples?
Can you
see in Peter’s reaction and Jesus’ response an even deeper, prophetic statement
that Jesus is making in washing His disciple’s feet?
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