Simple Example

Simple Example

John 13: ¹² So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? ¹³ You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. ¹⁶ Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. ¹⁷ If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

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There was something different about this particular leader that I liked. I could not pick out one thing that set this person apart. When I arrived to work, there the person was, greeting me. When I had an issue with something, there the person was to listen. I saw the person making coffee for everyone. The list went on. I wanted to be like that person.

• Some people have impressed me with the way they acted.
• Some people have shown me what true leadership looked like.
• Some people have served me even though I was supposed to be the servant.

JESUS makes HIS actions clear by explaining the foot washing. HE wanted the disciples to understand that it does not take elaborate measures to serve GOD. HE gave them a simple example of serving one another so they would go out and do the same.

• GOD wants me to serve people.
• GOD wants me to reduce how I think about myself and increase servanthood to others.
• GOD wants me to see people as opportunities, not projects or problems.

GOD, with HIS infinite power and wisdom, decided to step off the high throne to wash HIS creation’s feet. HE did not find this as humiliating, rather a prize to be had. HE gets excited about serving me and doe so every day. HE gets more excited when I follow HIS example. I am glad to follow HIS teaching.

• Do you get angry at others quickly?
• Do you feel certain people do not deserve to be served?
• Do you think in order to serve GOD, it has to be something hard or exhausting to do?
• Will you look at JESUS’s example and be simple about serving others today?

Not Understanding It

Not Understanding It

John 13: ⁶ Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”

⁷ Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”

⁸ Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!”

Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”

⁹ Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” ¹¹ For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”

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Finally I ran into a group of leaders I appreciated being around. When an opportunity for advancement came open, I scheduled a meeting to ask for the position. It had nothing to do with my skills or accomplishments, I just wanted to be with that group. “Don’t worry” they said to me. “We have something for you too.” What were they talking about? I pondered.

• There were times when I did not understand my benefactors.
• There were times when I did not understand when people had good plans for me.
• There were times when I was suspicious of allowing someone else to look out for me, so I had to look out for “myself.”

Peter, not understanding what JESUS was doing, tried to stop HIM from washing his feet. JESUS tried to tell Peter that he would understand later. Peter went further in his misunderstanding by telling JESUS to wash his entire body. Peter had great intentions.

• GOD understands that I will misunderstand HIM.
• GOD understands that I will think I know what HE is doing, but I will be grossly wrong.
• GOD understands that I will try hard to please HIM, even though HE is already extremely pleased with me.

JESUS needed to serve humans so we could see a real example. I mean, GOD lowered HIMSELF to the point of washing grime and stench off of our feet. I believe HE was telling us that we may step in sin but our feet can be cleaned. But there was one who’s heart was not clean, therefore foot washing would have no effect.

GOD wants my heart. HE can cleanse me of all unrighteousness as long as I give HIM my desires. I am grateful HE can clean me up when I sin.

• Do you want to be clean?
• Do you want to be with GOD in HIS quest to save humanity?
• Will you allow HIM to clean you up the way HE wants to so you can serve many people?

Internal Drive

Internal Drive

John 13: Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

² And supper being ended, the devil having already put it 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 had come from God and was going to God, ⁴ rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. ⁵ After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

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As anger bubbled over, I was determined to make this person pay. I went and found a very large “friend” and confronted the person who called me the name. I was ready to have a fight because something inside of me was furious. It was eight of them and two of us.

• Many times I was driven to react with anger.
• Many times I was driven to react with hatred.
• Many times I was driven to react with a response that most people would say I was justified in doing so.

JESUS knew it was time to be murdered by HIS own creation. HE also knew that one of HIS closest disciples would betray HIM to the jealous church leaders. BUT JESUS acted in a strange way that HE had never done before. HE washed their grimy, dung laced feet.

• JESUS shows me just how much HE loves me by forgiving me.
• JESUS shows me HE cares for me daily.
• JESUS shows me HE wants the best for me by giving me the HOLY SPIRIT.

“HE loved them to the end” are words that I cannot understand. I mean HE never sinned and only wanted the best for HIS creation, yet we accused HIM of trying to get over on us. We slandered HIM and made HIM out to be a criminal. BUT HE loved us to the end. I am grateful JESUS was and is driven by love. I want to do the same.

• What are you driven by?
• Do you easily fall into sins of hatred, lust, envy, pride, or something else?
• Will you allow JESUS to transform you first before HE sends you out to help transform others to love HIM?