By Ryan White
John 13:12-17 - 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? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 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. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (ESV)
Earlier in this passage Jesus started to wash the disciples' feet when Peter rebuked Him. Peter couldn’t understand why the master would wash his (the servant’s) feet. Jesus’ actions were a message about being a servant. Jesus was showing them that His purpose was to be a servant. He wasn’t there for the recognition or the accolades. He was there to do the will of the Father. He was there to serve. The feet washing wasn’t the great service He came for though. Even the great miracles he performed weren’t the main point of Jesus’ servanthood. Jesus was pointing to His real purpose. He had come to make the ultimate sacrifice. He was there to lay down His life.
Jesus’s actions as a servant hold a lesson for us. In verse 15 Jesus said He had given an example. He told the disciples that they should do the same to others. That we are called to be servants. If Jesus, our master, was a servant, we must serve others. Jesus said in verse 16 that a servant is not greater than his master. If Jesus served, we MUST serve.
We live in a time where everything is seen as more of a suggestion than a commandment. We focus more on tips than on callings. Jesus wasn’t saying we serve and put others first only when we felt like it. It wasn’t just a suggestion. This was a life model. This was an example we were called to follow.
How can we better serve others? This passage gives two key lessons.
1. Realize our purpose
Verse 3-4 says, “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. “
Jesus knew His purpose. He knew He was sent for the salvation of the world. He never lost sight of that purpose even when faced with temptation in the wilderness. He never forgot what He came for even when He was falsely accused and mistreated. Jesus remembered who He was even when people didn't believe in Him.
WE HAVE A PURPOSE TOO!
We need to allow God to show us that purpose. It begins with a relationship with Him, but will be fully realized when we surrender to God’s will for our life. Surrender will call us to replace our plans and agendas with His.
2. Get our hands dirty.
Verse 4 says that Jesus took off his outer garments and tied a towel around His waist and started washing feet.
Can you imagine? What a humiliating job for the God of the universe! He was up close and personal with a bunch of dirty feet. We can rarely be bothered to lend a few minutes to someone in need.
We have to be willing to get our hands dirty. God’s work can get messy. God’s work isn’t always a suit and tie affair in an air conditioned sanctuary. Sometimes we are going to have to get down on our knees and be willing to get our hands dirty.
Have you realized your purpose? God has one for you. And it probably involves being a servant.
If you are following our “Daily Bible-Reading Plan,” today's passages are John 13 & Psalm 25.