Daily devotion – Wednesday 7th July 2021
John 13: 2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
Each time I read this passage of Scripture I am overwhelmed by the humility and love of our Lord for His disciples, this the night of His betrayal.
It’ s often described as “love on its knees!”
Actions do speak louder than words.
Why did Jesus wash His disciples’ feet that evening? It seemed the disciples were preoccupied and Jesus by this action certainly seized the attention of them all at that moment.
Paul in his letter to the Church in Philippi wrote, Philippians 2:5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
We know that Jesus actions of washing His disciples’ feet was more than just an act of humility but today that is what I would draw your attention to – His humility.
Jesus knew there was a competitive spirit in the disciples. In fact, within a few minutes, the men were disputing over which of them was the greatest! (Luke 22:24-30)
Jesus actions however rebuked the disciple’s selfishness and pride in a manner they were to never forget!
The Church today is desperately in need of the humility our Lord exampled. Sadly, the Church often is filled with a worldly spirit of competition and criticism as believers vie with one another to see who is the greatest.
Andrey Murray wrote, “Humility is the only soil in which the graces root.”
May we here at CCSH be ever ready to put on our servant garment, gather some grace, and share it with those the Lord loves.
May we be spurred into action the next time we gather with the Body of Christ, to serve each other, to go out of our way to bless one another and humble ourselves in obedience to God.
Remember, it is always a privilege to serve He who gave His life for us. May our actions speak loudly, but humbly, that we are His followers – let us be like Christ and serve in love.