John 13
Jesus does really profound things here, and I am not talking about His miracles either. One of the first things he does in this chapter is he takes off his robe and wraps a towel around his waist, much like one of the lowest salves would do in this period of time. He fills a basin with water and starts to wash his disciples feet, and wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. The Son of God, lowers himself down to a servant and washes peoples feet. But there was a purpose to this. A lesson that really strikes me as something that should be true today in all leaders. He also shows his unconditional love. He knows that one of his disciples there will betray him, and yet he still loves him, and even puts him in a high place. “Jesus said, “It is the one to whom I give the bread dipped in the sauce.”And when he dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot.” (This was usually done for an honored guest.) He also knew that he would be denied by another and even abandoned by the rest of them, and still he showed his love. How awesome is that? But the key verse here really is the lesson of Jesus washing the disciples feet. “After washing their feet he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “do you understand what I was doing?”"
Key verse: You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and you are right because it is true. And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you and example to follow. Do as I have done to you. How true is it that a servant is not greater than the master. No are messengers more important than the one who sends them? You know these things — now do them.”
His act of washing their feet and telling that they must follow his example was not Jesus teaching them to be nice to each other. He was trying to get them to be servant leaders. For if God is willing to serve, shouldn’t we also do likewise?
My prayer: Lord, I know it is not enough to simply say hey go this way, or do it that way, we all must lead by example, and doing so show that we are willing to just as Jesus did, and serve in any way that glorifies you. I pray that, you can help me to see those opportunities and be able humble myself to be that servant leader that Jesus so exemplified. Amen.
