We will be spending each day in the month of July reading a portion of the book of John. Read the scripture text for the day and then share a comment about it in the comments section. We look forward to interacting with one another as we allow the Word of God to speak to us.
13 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; 3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. 18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. 19 ||Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. 20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. 23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. 25 He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? 26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. 28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him. 29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.
John 13:5 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.
Some of you on this blog may not have experienced a foot washing service. Trust me, there is no jumping and dancing in those services. Yet, I am reminded how the Lord Himself washed His disciples feet, even the one who would betray Him. He,the Great Example, demonstrated to us; pure servant hood. Though we may not do it physically today, but let us serve as Christ Jesus so perfectly demonstrated in His life as if washing each other’s feet.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
The devil is not some all powerful being who can make a man do something. The person must comply and allow the devils influence in his life. We have authority and do not have to fear what the enemy will do to us because he only has power when given permission.
One thing that really stood out to me was that Jesus knows who is going to betray Him. He knows it will be Judas. Verse 12 starts out “So after He had washed their feet…” He knew who was going to betray Him but yet still washed His feet. How hard it would be to know someone was going to do you wrong and still wash their feet and treat them just as you treated everyone else there. That’s something to remember when someone has already done something to hurt you too.
Jesus knew His time was coming, He knew He didn’t have much time left with His disciples. He wanted to leave an example of how to live for them so He washed their feet. All of the disciples feet. As I read it I wondered ‘Even Judas’ feet?’ But it says He washed the disciples feet. Jesus knew what Judas was going to do, how he was going to sell Jesus out, but Jesus still loved Judas, and humbled himself to him, and that’s speaks volumes!!
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
Jesus gives this amazing example of being a servant and being humble even though he was in a position of authority. Especially when you are in leadership or a place of authority, you are still a servant to the people you are in charge of and to visitors or people you witness to. Most importantly you are a servant to God and the house of God. If something needs picked up or cleaned at the church, DO IT, if you notice the trash is getting full, CHANGE IT, if you notice that something is empty REFILL IT!
Something I learned in a previous job at a grocery store was to “Walk with a Purpose”. What does that mean? It means as you’re walking through the store doing your job, if you notice trash on the ground, or something spilled, or an empty spot on the shelf, pick it up, clean it up, and refill it! We should have the same concept with our walk with God, both in the house of God and as we’re going through our day everywhere else as we intentionally witness to others!