John 13:2-17
Verses 3-4 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist.
The people in Bible times weren’t walking around in sneakers or hiking boots, they had sandals and since they walked everywhere it was common for them to have dirty feet. In fact it was considered the sign of a good host to provide servants to wash the guest’s feet upon their arrival in the home. Either the host/hostess didn’t provide this service for Jesus or His disciples or Jesus had asked to do it Himself.
Jesus knew He had less than 24 hours with these men before He died. Most of those hours were not going to be spent together and so He wanted to cherish the few which were left. He also wanted to make sure He taught the disciples as much as He could in the meantime. The first thing He decided to focus on was a lesson of servanthood.
Jesus was now in full knowledge of where He came from, where He was going and how He was going to get there. He knew Judas had already sold Him out and for how much. He knew He was going to experience things in the next 24 hours which were going to hurt both physically and emotionally. He knew these men so well and knew in a mere few hours they would run from Him to save their own lives. But His love for them was no less than it was a few years prior when they started this journey of ministry.
As He walked around the table kneeling in front of each friend to wash their feet He may have been thinking of all the places they had been together and possibly all the places they would go in the future as they took His message around the world. As He washed Peter’s feet He may have thought about Peter walking on water and how he would hurry away on those same feet when he heard the rooster crow the third time in the morning.
The time spent washing their feet gave Him time to show them by example what it meant to be a servant. While some wanted to be ranked as the highest among His followers, Jesus knew it wasn’t about making a name for self, it was about helping others through thankless roles. It wasn’t about wanting glory for self, but wanting glory for God.
Making It Personal
When have you found joy in serving someone else? When has someone served you in the name of Jesus? Who could use someone to serve them today?
Making It Personal Kids
What are some ways you can serve someone like Jesus would? Has anyone ever done something for you because of their love of Jesus? Who can you help today because you love Jesus?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for teaching us what it means to serve in Your name. Give us hearts which desire to serve and eyes to see where service is needed. And help us do the service for Your glory not our own. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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