I. Jesus washes his disciples’ feet… John 13:1-17
“It was just before the Passover feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, He now showed them the full extent of His love.
The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, sin of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “You shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet, but my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For He knew who was going to betray Him, and that is why he said not everyone was clean.
When He had finish washing everyone’s feet, He put on His clothes and returned to his place. Do you understand what I have done for you?” He asked them. You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
“You will be blessed if you do them…”
Peter said, “No, Jesus… You will not wash my feet.”
Jesus said that if he could not cleanse Peter’s feet, he could have nothing to do with him…
Peter replied, “Well if that’s the case, don’t stop at my feet..!!”
Jesus wants us to continue where he left off from his earthly existence to be with His Father, to continue to be brothers for each other, to continue to look out for each other and to spread his teachings to each other.
He wants us to treat each other the way he LOVES and treats us.
II. How do we treat each other..?
Paul to Timothy: 1Timothy 5:1-2
“Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort (encourage) him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.”
How do we honor God..?
Paul to Timothy: 2 Timothy 2:22-25
“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have ANYTHING to do with stupid and foolish arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And, the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
III. We learned of Solomon’s “Wise Request”. Solomon had an opportunity to ask of God to grant his wishes and desires and instead of asking for wealth and power, or for fame, or to have his enemies destroyed, he asked God for a discerning heart, for the knowledge to rule justly in his kingdom, because he realized his own limitations.
IV. We need to know our limitations and ask God for the guidance to know and do His will.
Matthew 20:29-34 says,
“As Jesus and His disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
Jesus stopped and called them, “What do you want me to do for you?” He asked.
“Lord,” They answered, “we want our sight.”
Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed Him.
Can you see yourself as the blind man asking for God to “give you sight”? Can you see yourself as the blind man, now that your eyes are wide open, getting up to follow Him?
Or, are you in the crowd trying to silence or push away the men who ask for the Lord’s mercy?
Challenge yourself this week and try to recognize who you are in different situations.
1. Are you willing to wash your brother’s feet?
2. Are you willing to do for those less fortunate than yourself?
3. Are you willing to stand up and do His will? OR…
4. Are you finding yourself turning a blind eye to the downtrodden?
5. Are you finding yourself counting your pennies and examining the financial effect it might have on you if you give to someone in need?
6. Are you finding yourself arguing over petty things with your brothers and sisters?
7. Are you finding yourself forgetting He is there until you need something from Him?
If you honestly find yourself more willing to be selfless, then good for you, the rewards are great and plentiful.
If you seem to be more reserved and frugal and self-concerned, the good news is… there is nowhere to go but up… Search yourself, your heart and your mind… Realize that the desires and wants of the world pale in comparison to the rewards of His Heavenly Kingdom…
Pick a mantra and repeat it to yourself as a reminder that He is always here for us, not only in our time of need, but in every moment of our day to day journey in this life.
There are plenty to choose from in the good book, if you can’t find one that really jumps out at you, read through Psalms… Psalms is full of short, inspirational thoughts, such as…
“Oh Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” (8:1)
Or,
“The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not be in want.” (23:1)
Or,
“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (37:4)
Or,
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (46:1)
Just to name a few… mine is simple…
“Be still, and know that I am God.” (46:10)
Amen?
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