Read John 13:1-38.
If you knew that you were going to have your last meal on earth, who would you invite to eat with you? Would you invite your family, good friends, or coworkers? What feelings would you feel as you spent your last little bit of time with them? Would you be overcome by grief? Would you feel responsible for imparting important information on to them? What would you want to say?
In John chapter thirteen, Jesus was eating what He knew to be His last meal before He was arrested and ultimately killed. He chose to spend this meal with His twelve disciples, His closest friends who He spent three years teaching and serving others with. Knowing that He did not have much time left with His disciples, we must conclude that what Jesus said in these verses was very important for His disciples to hear.
Jesus began His meal with His disciples by washing each one of their feet. We learned yesterday the importance of foot washing, which was usually the job of a hired servant. Remember that in Jesus’ day, people walked most places (there were no cars) while wearing sandals. Because of this, people’s feet would get very dirty. As a result, a hired servant was often asked to wash the feet of any house guests who arrived. Don’t miss this, friends. In His last moments with His closest friends, Jesus took on the role of a hired servant, washing their feet. After washing their feet, Jesus explained that if He did not consider Himself to be too good to wash feet, His disciples were not too good to be in the foot-washing business either. They were not too good to serve other people. If Jesus lived a life of service and sacrifice, they should follow His example.
Then, in a profound moment of teaching, He shared a new commandment: “Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other” (verse 34). As His followers, we are called to dedicate our lives to serving others. Will you commit to living a lifestyle of service? What can you do today to take on the role of a servant and serve other people around you?
Who do you know needs help today? Maybe you know someone who is struggling financially. Can you provide a meal or groceries for them? Perhaps you know of someone who is lonely. Can you spend some time with them this week? Do you know someone in the hospital or with a loved one in the hospital? Can you visit them this week and maybe take them a coffee or tea? Whoever comes to mind, decide to serve them in some way this week. Let them know that they are not alone and that God loves them very, very much.
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