At some point on Thursday, Jesus met with His closest friends. He gave them an example of what servant leadership looks like by washing their feet (John 13).
Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world + return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth + now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper + the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.
3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything + that he had come from God + would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 + poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. —John 13:1-5 NLT
After washing their feet, he put on his robe again + sat down + asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ + ‘Lord’ + you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 + since I, your Lord + Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you . . . —John 13:12-15a NLT
Jesus loved object lessons + according to John 13:13-15, Jesus wanted His disciples to hold the image of Him actually touching + washing their feet on the screen of their minds. This is what He wanted these guys to think about each time that image came to mind:
“Remember Guys, this act represents all the ways I have loved you. I want this love—my selfless, unconditional + sacrificial love for you—to carry you out into the world so that everyone you meet can experience My grace-filled love through you.”
Jesus wanted us to understand that learning to take off the garment of your own self-importance + kneel down + turn away from your own self-centeredness to pour the water of your own resources on the feet of someone else in need is what Christ-like love is all about.
He makes it crystal clear in John 13:34:
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” —John 13:34-35 NLT
Jesus basically said, “Hey, Guys, the way you’ve seen Me love . . . That’s the way I want you to love. It’s more than a feeling. It’s an attitude that reveals itself with an action.”
A New Standard For Love
• Love one another selflessly.
• Love one another unconditionally.
• Love one another sacrificially.
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. —John 15:13-14 NLT
Today’s Verse: “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” —John 13:35 NLT
Today’s Prompt: Are you able to love others selflessly, unconditionally + sacrificially?
Today’s Gratitude: I am grateful that Jesus set an example on how I should love my friends.
Today’s Prayer: Father, I need Your help to lay down my own self-importance + self-centeredness, so I can carry Your love out into the world. I pray that others can experience Your grace-filled love through me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
