Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

July 17, 2020

Jesus’ most definitive teaching on serving others comes just before his death. The God of the Universe puts on a servant’s robe and washes His disciples’ feet. Study this text carefully and allow God’s Spirit to speak to you. Look for what this story tells us about Jesus’ love for us, and about how we are called to love others. 

STUDY THE SCRIPTURE

Click here to access the reading from John 13:1-17

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REFLECTION

To the Very End

by Jennifer Jerrome

I love the last six words of verse 1, “he loved them to the end.”  How beautiful!  Jesus lived his life loving those around him like they’d never been loved before.  And even though we didn’t live in the world with him, Jesus loves us to the end too. 

But the end is really just the beginning because God’s love is eternal.  Our life on earth will end, but his love never will.  Hopefully, that’s of comfort to those who worry this crazy life is all there is.  It isn’t.

God’s got plans for you, even if, like the disciples, you don’t realize what he’s doing right now.  “But later you will understand” (v. 7).  It can be frustrating to look around and wonder where you fit in.  What am I supposed to be doing?  Is there a purpose to my life?  There is.

In today’s story, Jesus washes his friends’ feet and they don’t get it.  Why would he humble himself like that?  How can he be Teacher, Lord AND Servant?  Because that’s who HE is!  He’s all these and more.  And he can flow effortlessly between these roles because there’s no boundary to his love.

Now, we can’t be Jesus.  We can’t live like he lived and love like he loved, due to the very nature of being human.  We’re going to mess things up every now and then, but we’re not out of the game.  We’re not worthless in this world.  Our lives mean something and when we learn to channel that meaning into love, well that’s what it’s all about.

Jesus loves us so we can love others.  We carry his example with us.  “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (v. 15).  It may not be the actual washing of feet that we are called to but packing lunches or holding babies or praying for the sick.  The world has many ways it needs to be loved and we can humbly do the loving because Jesus showed us the way.

Note:  While writing this, I kept thinking about the song “Jesus Loves Me.”  And He loves you too!

UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER 

    

FRIDAY: FAITH

Pray for faith instead of fear. That many would come to faith in Jesus and that we would all trust God more deeply during this time.