November 25, 2016

SHOW ME; DON'T JUST TELL ME

John 13:1–20

Angie Mosier
Friday's Devo

November 25, 2016

Friday's Devo

November 25, 2016

Central Truth

Jesus showed His love for us by dying on the cross for our sins. As believers, we don’t have to earn God’s love by showing that we love Him. But we are called to respond to His grace by living a life of humility as imitators of Christ.

Key Verse | John 13:14–15

"If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you." (John 13:14-15)

John 13:1–20

Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, 1 13:10 Some manuscripts omit except for his feet but is completely clean. And you 2 13:10 The Greek words for you in this verse are plural are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant 3 13:16 Or bondservant, or slave (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface) is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, 4 13:18 Greek But in order that the Scripture may be fulfilled ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”

Footnotes

[1] 13:10 Some manuscripts omit except for his feet
[2] 13:10 The Greek words for you in this verse are plural
[3] 13:16 Or bondservant, or slave (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface)
[4] 13:18 Greek But in order that the Scripture may be fulfilled

Dive Deeper | John 13:1–20

About 12 years ago in Costa Rica, my brother, Brian, washed his wife’s (Julie) feet when he proposed to her. At the time, I thought his gesture was really “sweet,” but I completely missed the magnitude of what he was conveying. He was showing Julie how much he cared for her through this humble expression of love. I'm often reminded that it is equally important to show my husband that I love him as it is to tell him.

In this profound passage of Scripture, the Savior of the world washed His disciples' feet just before He departed from them to be crucified. Clearly, Jesus viewed this menial act as important. Why else would He have chosen to do this right before He left His dearest friends? Jesus wanted to show His disciples how much He loved them (verse 1), and remind them that to follow Him meant living a life of great humility. (Philippians 2:3-8)

The Synoptic Gospels tell us that just before Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, they were arguing over who would be the greatest. John did not record this—but I wish he had! The contrast between the disciples’ argument and Jesus’ act of foot washing further highlights Jesus’ remarkable humility. He could have told them to cease their ridiculous quarreling. He could have told them that He was actually the greatest of men. But He didn’t. He showed them His greatness through an amazing act of humility.

While it’s easy to judge the disciples’ behavior, aren't we all at times guilty of trying to prove our greatness? How often do we focus on sounding smart, impressing others, or showing off our biblical knowledge?

What would happen if we showed our friends and families that the greatest pursuit in life is to lay down our lives in humble service to others? What would happen if players from our favorite sports teams sought chiefly to glorify God through their gifts, rather than pursue self-glorification?

I’m glad that we don’t have to wonder what a life of humility looks like. Jesus showed us.

Discussion Questions

1. How can you show someone in your life today how much you love them through an act of humility?

2. Are there areas in your life that reveal your desire to seek your own greatness instead of furthering the greatness of God?

3. What does it mean to you that the Savior of the world washed His disciples' feet?