TOPIC: AN EXAMPLE IN HUMILITY
TEXT: John 13: 1-20(NKJV)
- 13:1. Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
- 13:2. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s [son,] to betray Him,
- 13:3. Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God,
- 13:4. rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.
- 13:5. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe [them] with the towel with which He was girded.
- 13:6. Then He came to Simon Peter. And [Peter] said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”
- 13:7. Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”
- 13:8. Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”
- 13:9. Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also [my] hands and [my] head!”
- 13:10. Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash [his] feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.”
- 13:11. For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”
- 13:12. So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?
- 13:13. “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for [so] I am.
- 13:14. “If I then, [your] Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
- 13:15. “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
- 13:16. “Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.
- 13:17. “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
- 13:18. “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’
- 13:19. “Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am [He.]
- 13:20. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”
STUDY:
In Jesus’ time, the roads and streets were often dusty so people had to wash their feet before entering into public places. There were also ceremonial washings required by the Law, and traditions of the elders (Mark 7:3-4). Water pots were usually kept at the entrance of buildings for that purpose (see John 2:6).
The washing was done personally by each person, or by a servant, but never by a Rabbi or Master for the servant. This explains Peter’s initial refusal to be washed by Jesus. But when Jesus said “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me”, Peter requested for his feet, hands and head to be washed.
Some people follow this example in a purely physical sense, and embark on feet-washing ceremonies during the Holy Week, but it should go beyond that. The Lord teaches us to walk in his steps by being ready to serve others, rather than being served (1Pet. 2:21-24).
The Lord teaches us not to lord it over those under us, whether at home, church or place of work (Matt. 20:25-28; 1Pet. 5:2-3). Can you think of areas in your life where you have not been an example in humility? Make a positive change today.
PRAYER:
Merciful Father, please help me to walk in the steps of Jesus Christ daily, Amen!
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