John 13:1-14 New King James Version (NKJV) Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet 13 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. 2 And supper being ended,[a] the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, 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, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 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. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” 7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” 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.” 9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” 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.” 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.” 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 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. "The Leader Will Serve: A Disciple" The hidden-camera television show Undercover Boss has aired in over twenty countries. It seems that every culture enjoys watching the chief executives of various companies take on the identity of a new employee in order to get a glimpse of their experience. The CEO of a national pizza chain might get scolded by a local franchise manager for not putting cheese on a pizza correctly. Or a hotel executive might be saddled with the job of getting rooms cleaned and ready for the next guest. The managers receive an insider’s look at how their companies actually function and also have the opportunity to reward employees they might not otherwise have come to know. The night before His crucifixion, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. Like some of the employees who unwittingly worked side-by-side with powerful executives, Peter was shocked that the One he recognized as Messiah would embrace the role of a lowly servant. Unlike some pampered white-collar bosses, however, Jesus’ service was consistent with the life He had lived among them. In bending to embrace a dirty job, Jesus was modeling the lifestyle to which He was calling them. Witnessing His service, each disciple would, in that moment or in ones to come, struggle to make sense of Jesus’ words. Zebedee’s sons, James and John, would remember how Jesus had rejected their mother’s bid for power on their behalf. Another might recall Jesus’ words, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last” (Matt. 20:16). And the following evening, when Jesus confirmed “I am among you as one who serves,” (Luke 22:27), the disciples’ minds would return to Jesus’ hands washing their dirty feet. The holy moment was one they would emulate even after His ascension. Apply the Word Jesus’ call to His first disciples is the invitation He extends to us as well. Humble service isn’t for the church janitor—it’s for church leaders! In front of whom is Jesus inviting you to kneel and serve? Notice the opportunities Jesus provides and follow His example of service.
Posted on: Sat, 31 Aug 2013 11:14:31 +0000
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