John 13: Will You Wash Another’s Feet?
Verse of the Day: (V14) “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.”
1. Father (V1-7)
V1 “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”
Jesus knew that He would be back to His Father’s home in heaven, and He began to wash His disciples’ feet. During Jesus’ time, only the slaves washed their master’s feet. Hence when Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, they were shocked. Jesus desired His disciples to wash one another’s feet, and be humble and loving towards one another, so that the world could see that they were different from them, because they were Jesus’ disciples.
V5 “After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.”
2. Feet (V8-35)
V8 “Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”
When Peter refused to be washed, Jesus told him that He would not have any friendship with Peter. It was clear that that Jesus’ washing of His disciples’ feet was more than love and humility, it was also friendship with Him. Leaders who are loving, humble, and friendly towards their people will surely win the hearts and minds of their people. Jesus’ servant leadership is the best model of leadership for all who desires to be true leaders.
V14 “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.”
3. Follow (V36-38)
V36 “Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goes thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.”
Jesus told Peter that where He was about to go, which was His impending crucifixion, where Peter could never go with Him. However Peter insisted that he would not only follow Jesus, but even lay down his life for Jesus. Jesus then told Peter that the cock shall not crow until he would deny Jesus thrice. Indeed, subsequently Peter denied Jesus thrice.
V38 “Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to always be a loving, humble and friendly leader.
