Today we will look at the first part of John 13. Let's delve into it.
13 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. 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. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God 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. 5 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.
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.”
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, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, 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’ and ‘Lord,’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. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, 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
The first thing I notice is that Jesus demonstrates all I desire. The problem is I don't often get it right. I go in all kinds of directions but never seem to keep things In balance. Jesus is getting ready to die and He knows it he knows that he will join his Father in Heaven and no longer be with his disciples. He has a few things on his mind! It says that he had loved his own and loved them to the very end. He didn't treat them badly because of the stress. No, He loved them to the very end. He knew that satan was working in Judas, one of his disciples. Betrayal! So what does Jesus do? He serves by washing the disciples feet!
So what would I do in similar circumstances? Well, I probably wouldn't do what Jesus did. I see myself identifying more with Peter in this passage. "Are you going to wash my feet?" You shall NEVER (emphasis added) wash my feet!" Then Jesus goes on to teach Peter and the others that he needs to be washed by Jesus. Instead of listening and taking this teaching in, Peter reacts quickly and wants Jesus to wash his whole body. Jesus once again corrects this thinking of Peter. Peter reacted to Jesus and then when Jesus corrected his thinking, there was a huge swing in the opposite direction.
I so identify with Peter, here. I go in one direction and when it isn't where I need to be then I am often impulsive and off in another direction. There is an old song that says "Jesus is the answer for the world today. There is no other. Jesus is the way!" I know I need the balance that Jesus gives through his Word and from following closely to him.
Lord, let me choose each day the balanced life that Jesus points me. Let me move away from the impulsivity than takes me away from the balance that only Jesus gives.
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