John, Chapter 13, takes place the night of Christ's arrest. It is the last meal that Jesus and the disciples will share before Jesus is crucified. Verse 1 reads, "...having loved his own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end." The Greek word that is translated "loved" in this verse means that He chose to continue loving them. Judas was there- who would betray Him. Peter was there - who would deny Him. Thomas was there - who would doubt Him. The disciples’ biggest concern (Gospel of Luke) that night was who would be first or greatest in Christ's kingdom. Still....He "loved them unto the end."
Jesus' answer to their argument over who would be greatest was that whoever would be greatest must be servant of all. Then He proceeded to demonstrate this principle.
John 13:3-5 (HCSB)
3 Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into His hands, that He had come from God, and that He was going back to God.
4 So He got up from supper, laid aside His robe, took a towel, and tied it around Himself.
5 Next, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around Him.
By removing His outer garment, Jesus became attired as a common servant. Even a Jewish-born servant could not wash people's feet. It was a job reserved for the lowest servant. It is hard to put into words, the love, the humility, the picture painted here by our Lord and Master.
On that night, He instructed the disciples and us to wash one another's feet. What arguments do we give for not fulfilling our roles as servants? Appearances? Our role in society? The way our fellow believers have treated or slighted us? Do our arguments hold any kind of significance or do they sound petty in our own ears? My arguments make me hang my head in shame.
Ladies, sometimes we must choose to keep on loving. Others have bad days. Others choose to betray our confidences and our trust. But we must choose to keep on loving in the name of Jesus. How? How can we do that?
The key is in verse 3: Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into His hands, that He had come from God, and that He was going back to God.
Jesus knew His source of significance. His source of significance wasn't what the religious leaders or His friends thought. It wasn't His position in society. It wasn't how nice Judas and Peter and the others were to Him. His source of significance was His position with the Father. The same position that we hold when we have accepted Jesus as our savior. We are Sons of Almighty God. Heirs and brothers of Christ. We don't need public approval or fame or fortune. We only need the approval of our heavenly father. And this only happens when we are willing to serve one another.
Why do we serve one another?
John 13:34-35 (HCSB)
34 “I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another.
35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
It's not about feeling or deserving. It's about obedience. We choose to continue loving one another because Jesus, our Lord and Master, chose to continue loving us.
