JESUS SET US AN EXAMPLE

Passage: John 13:1-17

Key verse: 17

NIV

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

13 It was just before the Passover Festival.(A) Jesus knew that the hour had come(B) for him to leave this world and go to the Father.(C) Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.(D) 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power,(E) and that he had come from God(F) and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.(G) 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet,(H) drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”(I)

8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean,(J) though not every one of you.”(K) 11 For he knew who was going to betray him,(L) and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’(M) and ‘Lord,’(N) and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.(O) 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.(P) 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master,(Q) nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.(R)

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

13 Now (A)before (B)the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that (C)his hour had come (D)to depart out of this world to the Father, (E)having loved (F)his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when (G)the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing (H)that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that (I)he had come from God and (J)was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, (K)tied it around his waist. 5 Then he (L)poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 (M)Jesus answered him, “What I am doing (N)you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 (O)Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, (P)“If I do not wash you, you have no share 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, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, (Q)except for his feet,[a] but is completely clean. And (R)you[b] are clean, (S)but not every one of you.” 11 (T)For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 When he had washed their feet and (U)put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, (V)“Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 (W)You call me (X)Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, (Y)you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, (Z)that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, (AA)a servant[c] is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, (AB)blessed are you if you do them.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. John 13:10 Some manuscripts omit except for his feet
  2. John 13:10 The Greek words for you in this verse are plural
  3. John 13:16 Or bondservant, or slave (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Jesus knew his time of death was near, and the devil was at work (2). Jesus’ love was expressed throughout John’s gospel. He gave up his heavenly throne to dwell among us. He fed, healed, and taught the way of God’s kingdom. Jesus’ love for his sheep is unconditional (1).

Peter and the other disciples were baffled as Jesus took a water basin and towel to wash each of their feet in the middle of the meal. They were surprised because Jesus took a job reserved for servants. Yet, through Jesus' example, they had to know two essential truths: that we must be cleansed by Jesus daily, and we are truly blessed when we follow Jesus’ humility and serve one another.

How is Jesus calling you to humbly serve others today? Do you have reservations about accepting his call to follow his example? Are you willing to struggle to overcome the obstacles in your heart to receive the blessing as you follow Jesus?

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for calling me your own and being my good shepherd. You have loved me, bearing all my dirty sins. Now, I ask for the blessing to grow to be like Jesus, taking his example, to love and serve your sheep.

One Word: Blessings to be like Jesus