Day 51 · Growing in Holiness, Love, and Wisdom · (NET2)
Jesus knows his authority and his approaching departure, yet kneels to wash his disciples’ feet. His humble service reveals love, not insecurity. Peter must first receive what Jesus gives before learning to follow his example. We too depend on Christ’s cleansing and grace. Secure in his love, we can serve without needing every act to be noticed.
Request
Lord Jesus, help me receive your grace and serve others with your humility. Amen.
Read
1 Just before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that his time had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now loved them to the very end. 2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, that he should betray Jesus. 3 Because Jesus knew that the Father had handed all things over to him, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 he got up from the meal, removed his outer clothes, took a towel and tied it around himself. 5 He poured water into the washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel he had wrapped around himself.
6 Then he came to Simon Peter. Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not understand what I am doing now, but you will understand after these things.” 8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, wash not only my feet but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus replied, “The one who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 (For Jesus knew the one who was going to betray him. For this reason he said, “Not every one of you is clean.”)
12 So when Jesus had washed their feet and put his outer clothing back on, he took his place at the table again and said to them, “Do you understand what I have done for you? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and do so correctly, for that is what I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you too ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example —you should do just as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the solemn truth, the slave is not greater than his master, nor is the one who is sent as a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you understand these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Scripture: NET Bible, Second Edition (NET2).
Reflect
- How does Jesus’ knowledge of who he is relate to his act of service?
- What unglamorous act of love could you offer without seeking recognition?
Restate
Describe the connection between receiving from Jesus and following his example.
Respond
Let the passage guide your prayer. Use these prompts in your own words:
- Praise: Praise Jesus, the Lord who serves.
- Thanksgiving: Thank him for his cleansing grace.
- Confession: Confess pride that avoids unnoticed tasks.
- Intercession: Pray for those doing tiring, hidden service.
- Petition: Ask for humility rooted in Christ’s love.
Carry it into today: Do one needed task for another person without drawing attention to yourself.