March 26
Bible Reading: John 13:12-20
John 13:13-15, “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.”
I noticed my Uncle Bob walking gingerly on the path that led back to the village. He was wearing different shoes that were old and worn out. “What happened to your shoes?” I asked. He explained that he’d given them to a Ugandan pastor because his shoes were hurting his feet. When we returned to the guest house, we examined the shoes. Nails, used to secure the soles, were protruding through, making them painful to wear. But Uncle Bob, the US Director of Hope and Mercy Mission, didn’t hesitate to give his shoes away. In serving like that, Pastor Bob was glad to follow the example of Jesus.
Jesus is the best example for us in every virtuous thing. And so, He is here. Jesus, the Master, set aside His outer garments, tied a simple towel around His waist, and set about as a servant to wash the disciple’s feet. Anyone could have done it, but none took the initiative. Though one of the twelve would soon betray Him and the rest would abandon Him, He nevertheless served them in memorable and dramatic fashion.
The Greek term translated “example” refers to a pattern to be copied. Jesus laid out a pattern of humility and servanthood. He came “not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45). Having left His Father’s throne above, He “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). And then “he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).
He thereby established a pattern for the believer in Christ to follow. We are to “have this mind among (ourselves), which is (ours) in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). We are prone to pride and selfish behavior, but in Christ we are to “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility of mind (we are) to count others more significant than (ourselves)” (Philippians 2:3). This is the divine pattern Jesus has laid out.
Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. In humility, He put their needs ahead of His own. He would do the same in transcended fashion at the cross. But soon after the foot-washing, an argument broke out amongst the disciples regarding who was the greatest (Luke 22:24). The tentacles of sin-selfishness lie deep in the heart of us all (James 4:1-3).
Jesus has established a pattern, but it takes more than just His good example if we are to follow in His steps. Nothing less than a radical heart change will do. He is of sin, the “double-cure,” cleansing from its “guilt and pow’r” (“Rock of Ages”). We need Him first as Savior if we are to follow in His steps. Set against the backdrop of selfishness in sin, how beautiful is the example of Christ! And how beautiful it is when the Spirit works to transform us so that we might follow His divine pattern!
Your life as a believer helps paint your neighbor’s picture of God.
THE SERVANT KING
From heav’n You came, helpless Babe
Entered our world, Your glory veiled;
Not to be served but to serve
And give Your life that we might live
Chorus
This is our God, the Servant King
He calls us now to follow Him
To bring our lives as a daily offering
Of worship to the Servant King
There in the garden of tears
My heavy load He chose to bear;
His heart with sorrow was torn
‘Yet not my will but Yours,’ He said
Come see His hands and His feet
The scars that speak of sacrifice;
Hands that flung stars into space
To cruel nails surrendered
So let us learn how to serve
And in our lives enthrone Him;
Each other’s needs to prefer
For it is Christ we’re serving
-Graham Kendrick
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