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Word of the Day: John 13:5

Word of the Day

Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples feet …" John 13:5

If you have ever wondered what a servant's heart should look like, I believe the example of Jesus in John 13 will provide the answer. This is the scene called the Last Supper in which Jesus is with His disciples. It is extremely difficult to grasp the emotions of Jesus at this time, since He knew in less than 24 hours He would be experiencing much suffering and agony even before being nailed to a cross. Yet, with all this weighing on His heart, Jesus very purposefully stood up from where He was sitting and began to wash the disciple's feet. We generally don't spend a lot of time thinking how clean the disciples' feet were. Perhaps David Guzik will help define the moment when he says "it was customary that the lowest servant of the house would wash the feet of the guests as they came into the house, especially for a formal meal like this. For some reason, this didn't happen when Jesus and the disciples came into the room. So they ate their meal while having filthy, dirty feet. Again I want to mention that Jesus was very purposeful when He "…got up from supper, laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin and began to wash the disciple's feet and to wipe them with the towel …" (13:4-5)

These are a couple of my observations I noticed from this event about a true servant:

1. Jesus didn't ask for someone to help. He could have had someone do all the preparatory work but He gave Himself completely to this servant action.

2. Jesus washed all of His disciples' feet. He didn't pick and choose those He was closest with (Peter, James and John).

3. Jesus washed the feet of His enemy. He humbled Himself and washed the feet of Judas, the very person He knew would betray Him.

Do I really desire to have a servant's heart like Jesus? Jesus said in verse 14 and 15, "if I then, the Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you." Then in verse 17 Jesus said, "if you know these things you are blessed if you do them."

Father, help me to be a doer of Your Word. I have the knowledge; help me to live it out. Please cause me to have a servant's heart like Jesus, to be like Jesus.

Dedicated to Prayer
Dave
Heb 4:16