READ
John 13:1-17
CONSIDER
When we think about the character and nature of God, our thoughts may focus on how He is the Creator of heaven and earth, the Lord over all the world and every nation, and the Saviour of our souls. We meditate on His presence, power, and faithfulness. Today’s passage provides a different dimension to knowing and following Him.
In our society, is there a job you could think of which would be considered the lowest task? Perhaps it is a role that many people would not desire or imagine themselves doing. Maybe it is a career that some people look down upon or think that it was beneath them. Now imagine Jesus doing that job. How does that change your picture of Him? How does this humble service and downward mobility deepen your understanding of who God is?
Jesus adopts the dress and duty of the lowliest of menial servants. This would have been considered condescending, embarrassing, and humiliating. The disciples themselves were shocked as they couldn’t fathom Jesus washing their dirty feet. This was not socially fitting for the Messiah, but He was showing them a better way. His act of service was disruptive, but also spiritually significant and relationally intimate. He demonstrates His great love in surprising ways and beckons us to follow. As we participate in His redemptive movement, we join into how God is forming us into communities who sacrificially serve out of love and relationship.
Looking forward to being together on Sunday as we are continually shaped by Jesus,
Pastor Jon Nip
PRAY
Gracious God, we give you thanks for your great love, revealed perfectly in Jesus and how He humbly served and laid down His life for us. As we continue to strive to know and surrender to you, would you teach and mold us to follow in your footsteps, imitating how you lived and acted out of love and relationships. Would you transform us to become communities who have the outward mindset of Jesus and bear witness to your gospel in our service to one another and the world. Amen.
DIVING DEEPER
Would you allow Jesus to wash your feet? Why or why not?
How do Jesus’ actions and rationale shape your understanding of who God is?
How do you see the connection between service and community?
How do you connect serving to following Jesus?
What will it cost you to serve others in the same way that Jesus washed His disciples’ feet? Are you willing to pay it?