Day 12

Written by Ps. Craig Maher

Jesus Washed the Feet of His Disciples

Read

John 13:1-17

Reflect

The last night of Jesus' earthly ministry was very eventful. He prayed in anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane, taught His disciples many valuable truths, observed the Passover meal with His disciples and was betrayed into the hands of His enemies. Through all of this, Jesus knew that the next morning, He would go to Calvary and die on a Cross for the sin of humanity.

His is a bitter cup! However, before He begins the events of the evening, before they come to the table to eat their last meal together, Jesus takes some time to teach these men a lesson in servanthood that still speaks in the most powerful to us today. In today's reading, as we continue our time of prayer and fasting, Jesus reveals His heart and His mission. 

If anyone didn't have to humble himself to wash the feet of a bunch of fishermen, it was Jesus. Yet precisely because He knew He was Lord of the universe, He showed His love in humble service. He took up the towel and basin and stooped to serve. Jesus proved to these men that He did not come to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45). In showing Himself to be a servant of men, Jesus left us a vivid portrait of the kind of heart we are to have for others.

In Jesus' act of washing the disciples' feet, we find out that God's will for our lives is that we learn to give ourselves in service to others. We are not above our Master. Servant-heartedness always comes before effective ministry. Humility is always the bedrock of fruitfulness that lasts.  

Respond

As you consider Jesus' extraordinary example of humility and servanthood - consider what is the example others see through your life?  

Is there anything that needs to change?  

Who can you serve today?