Read today’s texts first: John 12-14
Washing His disciples grimy feet was a fitting end
to a life of a King who was literally born in a barn!
to a life of a King who was literally born in a barn!
I love how the Holy Spirit inspired John to write the infallible Word of God through his own unique personality and perspective. John seemed especially sensitive to the love of Jesus. He refers to himself, not by “John,” but by his pen name, “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (13:23; 19:26; 21:7,20). Many of the stories and teachings in John’s gospel are not found in the other gospels (which we call “synoptic” because of their similarities) and most of them reinforce the recurring theme of God’s love.
One of those stories was Jesus stripping down to the loin cloth of a servant and washing the disgusting road grime off His disciples’ feet. The timing was particularly significant - it was their final lesson before His arrest and crucifixion. It was like a graduation message as their 3 year Bible college program came to an end. It may have lacked the pomp we tend to add to those occasions, but for a King who came to earth as a baby born in a barn, it was a fitting end to a selfless life. What a stark contrast with the pride-filled, judgmental hypocrisy of the religious rulers.
It was one of the few times Jesus did something as a deliberate example for His disciples to follow (13:14-17). It wasn’t His intent that we would physically wash each other’s feet (although I’ve seen many powerful foot-washing ceremonies, most recently at a wedding!). Jesus made it clear this was a physical illustration of a spiritual principle – a new command I give to you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (13:34,35).
“Lord, I want to learn how to truly strip away my pride and humbly serve others. When You selflessly and unconditionally love through me, others will know what it means to be a real Christian.”
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