Monday
Scripture John 13:34-35
This week we are going to look at another way in which we can elicit the smile of God upon our sacrifice at worship. Love. Specifically loving our brethren/sistern. Jesus also tells us that if we love Him we will obey him. Here’s a way in which we can obey Him! Love the other disciples (learners of Jesus). But…how? As I have pointed out before, love is not only hard to do but it is hard to know. Well Jesus in John 13 has demonstrated to us how to accomplish this. This week we will look at Jesus washing the disciples feet which will give us a good starting, continuing point for love. Today let’s determine to obey Jesus and ask, seek and knock for His presence that we might enter in to this ability.
Tuesday
Scripture John 13:1-20
Let’s look at the first act in love here. Jesus got up from the table, head of the table, and took off his outer garments. What we see here is that Jesus is able to discard His position of honor. The seating at the table was very important in their culture as to let you know who was in what position of honor. Jesus left His position of honor. Next, He took off His outer clothes, again the clothes represented ones position. Jesus is again displaying His love in that He can, when needed, lay aside His rightful position of honor and respect. To love others, you will need to forgo your due respect. The other disciples will at times not take up their place of serving through love and you might have to take on the lowest and dirtiest job that isn’t even yours. Be ready.
Wednesday
Scripture John 13:5
Jesus washes the disciples feet. He didn’t teach about washing the feet. He washed the feet. The foot washing was the lowest job of the lowest slave/servant in the organization. Jesus who was the host of the evening hadn’t set up someone to do the job and as the disciples all came in there would have, probably, been an awkward moment as they all looked at each other assuming that the other should wash the feet. Jesus doesn’t mean to do the job and then smell the feet and decide that was not needed. He does it. When the Spirit prompts you to take on the ‘job’ do it, don’t mean to do it, do it. Love is not merely in your head, if it doesn’t reach your hands it is not love. Is Jesus/God calling you to humble yourself and love today? Purpose to do it and don’t let anything get in your way, not even really dirty, smelly feet.
Thursday
Scripture John 13:6-7
Often times when you love the disciples they won’t understand it. Doesn’t matter, this is between you and God. When you love it will not be to illicit the correct response from someone. If you need the other person to respond correctly you are serving and worshipping them, you are looking for your reason and acceptance from man not God. I can guarantee that there will be times when people don’t understand your act of service and love. If you can’t do this service for God you will be unable to love for long. Your love will dry up like a puddle on hot pavement. However, if you are loving them as an act of worship that God may smile upon you, then other peoples responses will not be required for you to love.
Friday
Scripture John 13:8
Do you want to be in community with the disciples? Good community? Loving community? Then there must be an exchange of foot washing. You can’t always be the one washing, at times you will need to be Peter and have your feet washed. You can’t always be Peter, the one getting the foot washed, you will need to move on if you can’t give to the disciples from time to time. Love is the water for the plant of community, we are the soil and Jesus is the flower/fruit tree/herb.
Saturday
Scripture John 13:9-10
Peter didn’t need a sponge bath. What Jesus is illuding to is that the Holy Spirit at our repentance has transformed us into ‘clean’ new creatures. However, when we go out into the world and track around in the mud, that mud shouldn’t be brought in and soil the floor of our fellowship. So, we need our feet washed from time to time. What does this have to do with loving? Understanding that I don’t have to change people’s hearts and sponge bath them takes a load off my shoulders. I don’t have to change people, sometimes I have to wash their feet.
Sunday
Scripture John 13:12-17
First of all, do you want to be blessed (happy)? Do this. Wash someone’s feet. Second of all, I want to point out that Jesus puts His outer clothes back on and scolds/shames them. He did have a place worthy of respect. He did serve in His capacity in such a way that He shouldn’t have had to wash their feet. He doesn’t stay the foot-washer-in-chief, He has just shown them why He has earned His position and then demands that they give Him that place in the community. It is good to take your place in the community, but if you want a position of power it is only through service/love that you will be able to exercise it.
Supplemental studies:
The Bible Project: ‘How to Read the Bible Videos’ – ‘How to Read Biblical Narrative’