Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Meditating on the Gospels - Day 81

  • What was Jesus trying to teach his disciples by washing their feet? Why did Peter resist? Does it make you uncomfortable for someone to serve you when you have a need? Do you enjoy serving the needs of others?
  • How do we prove to the world we are disciples of Jesus (v. 35)? What is the standard by which it is measured?

John 13English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

13 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,[a] but is completely clean. And you[b] 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[c] 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,[d] ‘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.”

One of You Will Betray Me

21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus' side,[e]24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus[f] of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

A New Commandment

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

4 comments:

  1. By washing the disciples' feet, Jesus was teaching how to humbly serve one another with love, through the washing.

    The world will recognize us by the love we have for others, no matter race, color, beliefs or ethnicity. We are to love everyone just as God loves us all.

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    1. That's right Evelyn. We all learn through humbling serving and through being humbly served.

      Yes, we should be recognized by our love. Love is a universal language that we can use to share the gospel with anyone even it they don't understand our words.

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  2. They will know we are Christians by our love. Unfortunately, the media seems to highlight angry Christians. What does my conversation reveal about my spirit? Am I critical, complaining, negative/pessimistic, sarcastic? Or do I show mercy with my words, warmth, gentleness? There is so much of the former out there that I think when we show the latter, we are refreshing streams, and it sets us apart from the world. People notice, and may ask, which gives us a chance to share about the joy within us.

    Love how Jesus knew He was returning to God. That must have been so comforting as He anticipated and endured the awful things that were to come. "For the joy set before Him endured the cross." It's comforting to me to partially know how He was able to face and endure such horrific times.

    Once again, I'm so thankful that God chose me before I ever chose Him. I don't deserve it, but am so grateful.

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  3. Well said, Deb! I wish the media would give more attention to the many believers who live out their faith through loving acts day in and day out. But then again, bad news sells better than good news. Sadly they seen to be giving people what they want rather than what they need even if it distorts the truth about the larger Christian community.

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