by Coach Debbie
Prepare for a heart prick, nkay?
I recently taught a lesson in my women’s Sunday School class about Jesus modeling servanthood from John 13.
John 13 is the part in the Bible about:
- Jesus washing the disciples’ feet
- The Last Supper & the betrayal by Judas
- Jesus giving the command to love
- The prediction of Peter’s denial of Jesus
Because I know you don’t have a ton of time, let’s focus on just the first section: Jesus washing the disciples’ feet.
Your homework will be to go study John 13, by the way, because it’s mind-blowingly powerful.
You can read John 13:1-20 HERE.
On the night before He died, Jesus had only the 12 disciples as His audience. No big crowds, just their intimate group.
Jesus showed immense love by washing the feet of His 12 disciples. These days, foot washing isn’t a thing, right? But in those days, it was the job of a servant to wash the feet of guests. Can you just pause and picture Jesus….JESUS…washing YOUR feet? It’s overwhelming to even imagine.
“…so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into the basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.” John 13:34-5
Let’s not rush past this. Because He later says, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13:14-15
We are to be like Christ. He served, so we are to serve. Our obedience is evidence of our love for the Lord.
Why? To glorify God!
Check out these important points:
1. Jesus ministered to needs. He showed love with action.
DO I?
2. Jesus washed the feet of Judas, KNOWING he would betray Him (verse 2).
AM I SERVING EVEN WHEN IT HURTS?
3. Jesus got up mid meal to serve (“The evening meal was being served…so He got up from the meal” v 2, 4).
AM I WILLING TO SACRIFICE MY COMFORT AND SATISFACTION?
4. Jesus took off the garment that got in the way (“took off His outer clothing” v 4).
AM I WILLING TO PUT ASIDE HINDRANCES AND SERVE EVEN WHEN IT’S INCONVENIENT?
5. Jesus took up a towel for the task at hand (“wrapped a towel around His waist…began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him” v4-5).
AM I PREPARED AND EQUIPPED BY GOD TO SERVE?
Think about this. He is loving and encouraging and comforting as He is about to knowingly face the hardest part of His earthly existence – carrying the weight of humanity’s sin while separated from His Father.
We don’t serve to earn our salvation, or brownie points with some sky cop. We serve because we love Jesus and want to reflect Him in this world.
How will you “wash feet” this week?