Day 13
John 13:3-5
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, so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 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.
In the first few verses of this chapter, we see that Jesus’ actions were tied to how he understood himself. Jesus was absolutely secure in the truth of his identity. He knew with certainty that he was the son of God. Even more importantly, Jesus understood what this meant about his access and position in God. He was completely secure in God’s love. That was the source of his validation, so he wasn’t ashamed to wash the disciple’s feet. In the ancient world, washing feet was one of the dirtiest and most demeaning jobs you would only give to the lowest-ranking servants. It would have been absurd for a teacher like Jesus to do this, but he did it because he wanted to show the extent of his love.
Because Jesus was the most secure and humble man in existence, he could love infinitely. He gave selflessly because he wasn’t searching for validation or approval from people. His life must have felt so free! In the final hours before his death, Jesus showed his disciples that 1. Godly love is always accompanied by humility; 2. There is no extent I wouldn’t go to love and serve you. 3. Because you belong to me, you’re clean, but I’m in the business of sanctifying you so you can become more like me 4. The primary way you live like me is through humble, self-giving, sacrificial love. Jesus encouraged them to not only model his actions but also embody his motives. In other words, as a disciple of Jesus, I should be so secure in my identity and access to God that I can genuinely love people based on their needs, not mine (he says this explicitly in verses 34-35). Modeling Jesus’ love in this way creates a Godly community where people can be sanctified through mutually edifying love. This was Jesus’ vision— not just individuals filled with love but a Kingdom community of love. To be intimate with Jesus, I must be a disciple who can catch and carry his vision.
Next Steps
Read John chapter 13 and take notes, making observations and asking questions as you read.
Mediate on 1 or 2 verses that stood out to you. Focus on what they reveal about God and how the Spirit is inviting you to respond. Find a helpful guide to biblical meditation here.
Write down whatever the Holy Spirit puts on your heart.
Reflection Questions
Jesus was the most powerful and humble human being that ever existed. Why do you think those two characteristics went hand in hand?
Imagine yourself sitting at that dinner table while your savior washes your feet. How would you have felt? Is that how you feel when you go to God in repentance? Why not
When was the last time you served others in a way that modeled how Jesus washed the disciples’ feet?
Prayer Points
Lord, give me a heart of humility so that I can love like you
Lord, give me a personal revelation of your love that changes how I see the world
Lord, teach me how to love my community with the gifts you’ve given me
