Have you ever had a friend or loved one do something to really serve you?  There is something special about someone doing something out of the ordinary just to show how much you mean to them.  Jesus does this at His last meal with His disciples.  Let’s look at the account from John 13 together today. 

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. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Jesus does this not only as a way to show His love for the disciples but also as a way to teach us how to love and serve others.  If anything, culturally the disciples should have offered to wash Jesus’ feet.  This is why Peter objects at first.  Instead Jesus, the leader, the Messiah, humbles himself and washes their dirty feet.  He is showing us that we need to humble ourselves and serve others.  This is the heart of Jesus’ ministry showing love to others who don’t deserve or expect that. Samaritans, lepers, tax collectors, women of ill repute.  Jesus was constantly loving those who others overlooked.  Perhaps you won’t wash anyone’s feet today but look for an opportunity to humble yourself and serve someone else who might not be shown lots of love by others. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave