Friday 10 Oct 2014

October 10: John 13:6-17

Key Verse: John 13:15
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Devotion:
When was the last time you washed someone’s feet? I know as parents we have been called to wash feet many times for our children when they were small, but think about washing someone’s feet after they have been for a long walk or a run! Jesus was not telling us that we had to go out physically and wash people’s feet all the time; He was giving us a lesson in humility. Having to wash feet is not the most glamorous job on the planet and certainly one that we would not normally choose to do!

When you do truly love someone there would not be much hesitation if you were asked to wash their feet, and when it comes down to various other things we don’t have to think much before we do help out the people that we truly love. But when it comes to strangers or even people who disagree with you, we start thinking twice before helping them out. This is not what Christ was teaching here. Christ is teaching us that we have to put aside personal feelings and personal gripes to be humble before all people. If you want to show someone that you do love them as Christ loves us, then you should be willing to wash their feet without question.

I really do not think I would want to ask anyone to have to wash my feet after a hard day working in my boots, especially if it is working outside in the heat and dust. I can remember the state my feet used to be in when I was living out in Africa and running around in the dust with flip-flops! And yet my mum would willingly wash me before bed time as a young child… Christ showed the disciples that He was willing to do that to them as grown men after they had been walking in the dusty desert sands. Why? Because of His great love for them and for us.

If you are willing to love someone then being humble before them and doing their dirty work is not a hardship at all, in fact it does not even have to be a chore but a labour of love. Jesus has taught me to love people and to be willing to do what it takes to show them that love. Sometimes that is very difficult to do, especially when they are not willing to accept you as a person who loves them. I count myself very fortunate to know people who allow me to love them openly. I count it all joy to be able to work for them!

Points to Ponder:
Do your feet get dirty?

Can you imagine Jesus being willing to wash them?