Day 2 - John 13: Came To Serve
Reading Passage: John 13, 1 Corinthians 10:31
Hang on friends, this is going to be powerful as we lean into the Gospel of John chapter 13, as Jesus offers His final teachings of His time here on earth.
The finality of the conversations taking place in the upper room were coming whether the closest inner circle followers of Jesus were ready or not.
No matter how hard I try to imagine - I just can not fathom anticipating what was about to take place. The relational ministry Jesus did alongside his disciples not only impacted the lives of the twelve, but every single one of us today.
Do you ever wonder...
Did the disciples really understand that Jesus came to die? Like REALLY?
Did some of them have trust issues even though they believed He was the promised Messiah?
What kind of faith did it take for these men to drop everything and follow Him – truly follow?
Surely they weren’t wimps in their belief. I mean they got the court-side seats to His life of miracles, His character, His Godliness, His holiness. What more would you need?
I take great comfort in the fact that even though the disciples had Jesus in plain view and around the clock access to the wisdom and heart of God in the flesh, they still struggled.
You know what that means? They were completely human, and so are you and I.
This makes us the perfect candidates, living imperfect lives, in desperate need of saving grace, and the exact ones Jesus came to earth to rescue in the first place!
I’m tempted to say that they had it “easy” compared to us now - who didn't get to experience Jesus in the flesh, hanging out, sharing meals, and talking about the things of God. Sign me up!
What a crazy privilege the disciples had and how incredible that we get to take it all in through the book of John!
What we can catch a glimpse of is the history the disciples had with Jesus, recorded in the Bible.
We read the conversations they shared in boats, traveling on the road, around tables, surrounded by sinners, in the middle of rescue missions, and in life or death moments of healing. They witnessed it all, and their personal journey with Jesus helps us know the very heart of God these 2000 years later.
Every word, miracle, every dusty road traveled, every prayer whispered in public and private, every teaching to the masses, and stopping for the one – all ended up in one massive moment – the Upper Room.
The disciples had gathered, each one with their own relationship and history with Jesus the Messiah. Each bringing something different to the table. Little did they know that Jesus would initiate the role of a servant and wash their feet.
Of course He did. After all, He spoke to them,
“For even the Son of many did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.”
Some were not okay Jesus wanting to break tradition. Palestine’s streets were not pristine. They were dusty and dirty. Foot washing was an honor for the one hosting to provide via a servant – not the Savior.
The disciple’s sandaled feet remained layered in dirt and mud and whatever else covered the path they traveled day after day. Sounds a little bit like our hearts doesn’t it?
Jesus demonstrated a significant lesson saying, “‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ He asked them” (vs. 12, NIV). This was the moment when reality may have set in… Jesus, more powerful than they, became humble and served them despite their position.
Powerful.
Unheard of.
Prophetic.
We will learn through the events surrounding the Last Supper and the washing of feet, that Jesus indeed came to make dirty lives clean, and to physically give them a preview of just how He would accomplish the redemption of mankind – the will of God, by His death and resurrection.
Jesus came to love, but He also came to leave.
Jesus was headed toward His death, which to the average person would mean He was headed toward suffering and death — not glory! Jesus did not waver from His purpose. He came to glorify the Father to the end.
As you read John 13 and 1 Corinthians 10:31 today, what is your purpose? Where in the “whatever you do” can you bring glory to God by seeking His will over your own?
Written by: Jenny Howell