Your identity in Christ
John 13:1-5
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
Pondering Point
How does Jesus show love to His followers “to the end” – or as another version puts it, show “the full extent of His love?” He washes their feet. He serves them in a simple, even menial, way. Of course, He will soon serve them in the most profound and majestic way possible by dying on the cross. Both actions show deep love and a great heart for His friends – His disciples! Have you become familiar with this extensive and expensive love from God? Have you become a sharer of such extensive and expensive love from God?
Take time to read Lamentations 3:19-32 to deepen this devotional point. Dwell on the great, faithful, loyal, and steadfast love of God in the person of Jesus – His mercies, grace, and loving-kindnesses being poured out in this Passover festival – and Passover death. Here is Micah 6:8 hesed love in action – all three parts in action.
Lamentations 3:19-32
- I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall. - I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me. - Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope: - Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail. - They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. - I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.” - The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him; - it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord. - It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young. - Let him sit alone in silence,
for the Lord has laid it on him. - Let him bury his face in the dust—
there may yet be hope. - Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him,
and let him be filled with disgrace. - For no one is cast off
by the Lord forever. - Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love.
That is God’s mission: That you experience His love through Jesus Christ and that you extend that love to others in the name of Jesus Christ. Remember that this evening of foot-washing sees Jesus tell His disciples to love one another as He loved them. That love ranged from foot-washing to life-giving moments. Be ready to give and receive such love in similar (or radically different) moments.
Prayer Prompt
Father God, teach me how to receive acts of love as well as to give them. Inspire me to give them as well as receive them. Help me take a page out of Jesus' book and love people “to the end” as it were -- to the fullest extent -- and may You be glorified in it all. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.