John 13
1 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.
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.
Jesus washed the feet of his disciples: every one of them, of Judas, who betrayed him, of Peter who denied him, of all the others who abandoned him when he was on the way to the cross. Why? How?
Purpose: v. 1 Jesus knew his hour had come. He knew his purpose for which he was sent into the world. It’s time for him to do his mission and go back to his Father. He loved his disciples and he loved them to the end.
Power: v. 3 Jesus knew his power came from the Father and that he had come from God and he would return to God. Power from God is the means by which Jesus washed his disciples’ feet.
Jesus set an example of true humility – the teacher washing the feet of his students. He taught in words and deed. Jesus showed them what they are to do with one another – wash each other’s feet. This is the way to love one another. Jesus loved them to the end. Love motivates each act of humble service.
In those days, only servants wash the feet of all who come to visit. Feet washing is a lowly task. Yet, the Master Teacher washed the feet of his students. How did he do it?
Jesus knew his position: He is Son of God. He would go back to the Father (v. 1a). He had come from God and was returning to God (v.3).
Jesus knew his purpose: He came to love and love them to the end (v. 1b).
Jesus knew his power: The Father had put all things under his power (v. 3).
When a person is secure in his identity, he has the means to do all that he’s called to do. His purpose is rooted in his position just as his position empowers him for his purpose. Today, I am a child of God as Jesus is the Son of God because I believe and accepted Jesus as my Lord, Saviour and Teacher. I am called to love as Jesus loves. I am empowered to serve as Jesus served – his love compelled him to the way of calvary: from washing feet to dying on the cross and everything in between.
Lord, Make me a servant humble and meek
Lord let me lift up those who are weak
And may the prayer of my heart always be
Make me a servant
Make me a servant
Make me a servant today.
