Do as I Did to You
Scripture Passage: John 13:12-20 (NASB)
12 So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know 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, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. 18 I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’ 19 From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.”
SUMMARY
Jesus demonstrates His role as teacher by washing His disciples’ feet - a last life lesson at the last supper. He then asks them, "Do you know what I have done to you?" (John 13:12) He encourages them to wash one another's feet, as He has washed theirs.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
I'm moved that even in such a time as this, when Jesus is just a few hours away from the cross, He took the time to show and teach love to His disciples in such a personal way.
Jesus says in verse 17, "If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them." To live out what we know is faith in action, which is pleasing to the heart of God, and to live out what we know not only blesses others, but us in Christ, too.
I am so thankful for a love demonstrated in this way! How over and over again, Jesus loves with a love so humble and true. He demonstrates to us what it looks like to not be afraid of the dirt of others and to draw close to them; to not think we are too clean, too holy, or too good to bend down and meet others where they are. Instead, He shows us to stoop close, to touch, and to “wash” just as He did.
He opens our eyes to learn. We learn by seeing how He draws close to people first, and we are able to learn because the Spirit searches the deep things of God and teaches them to us. T____T I'm gamdong (moved)!!!
APPLICATION
In essence, what we do as Christians is a reflection of how we've learned from our Heavenly Father. I thought about what it means to love the way Jesus did. I want to draw close and serve others in the mundane, the tedious, and the humbling day-to-day moments.
PRAYER
I pray that the eyes of my heart will be opened so that I may see more of Jesus. I also pray to see others through His eyes, that I may serve and love His children the way that He did - personally and humbly.
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