rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet and wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet? Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand now.” 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.” John 13:4-17
Washing one’s feet, to some is a disgusting thing. Feet are weird. They are dirty and smelly. This is with shoes on. Back in Jesus day, they wore sandals and walked. Those feet were dirty! A house hold servant would wash the guests feet, then they arrived. Jesus wrapped a towel around his waist. The lowliest of servant would wrap towels around their waist. All this happened on the last night that Jesus was with his disciples.
Jesus did three things, here. First, he demonstrated to his disciples how much he loved them. I wonder if the disciples feet were ticklish? Do you ask why this show love? Jesus was the leader. He taught his disciples for three years. They traveled together. Nothing like traveling, the memories and the disagreements. However, traveling adventures bring you close! He was their mentor. Jesus was a servant this whole time. However, the last night Jesus taught them how to truly love. He did this by serving them as a lowly servant. Wasn’t be born in a lowly position? He did an act of the lowliest servant or slave would do. From what I gather, it was the worst job. It is like cleaning toilets! Yet Jesus acted in that position. He humbled himself and loved.
Second, this act foreshadow his self-sacrifice on the cross. When Christ dies on the cross, he has the weight of our sin on him. Through His blood he cleanses us like he did washing the disciples feet. We have to be willing to come humbly before our Triune God and ask for forgiveness. To live our life according to God’s will. We have to be will to turn away from sin, wrongdoing!
Third, point will be tomorrow’s devotion. Join Me then to finish this servant attitude…..
Can you relate to the washing of the feet?
Do you understand Jesus love for you?
Where are you at with being humble?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for showing us how to be a humble servant. I ask that you show in our lives where we need to be humble. I pray that we will love that way you love us.
In Jesus Name
Amen
