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Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet- John 13:1-17

Posted on by Wendy
In today's reading, Jesus demonstrates the importance of service and humility.
In today’s reading, Jesus demonstrates the importance of service and humility.

John begins today’s passage by saying that it was just before the Passover Feast and Jesus knew that his time had come to leave this world and return to his Father. Notice, that Jesus knew? Jesus was always a willing participant In God’s plan for him. John says that Jesus loved his disciples during his ministry and now loved them to the very end.

John uses the word love thirty-one times in chapters 13-17. John’s Gospel is also the only account of Jesus’ washing the disciple’s feet. Interestingly, he doesn’t give an account of “The Lord’s Supper,” that we celebrate today during communion. That’s why to get a full account of Jesus’ ministry, we really have to read all of the Gospels.

Before Jesus gets started, we are told that the devil had already prompted Judas to betray Jesus.

Although all of the disciples must have been surprised by Jesus washing their feet, none of them openly questioned him or objected. Maybe they had learned to never be surprised by Jesus’ actions. Maybe they were afraid to say anything, but we can always depend on Peter to speak up.

Peter is mortified. There’s no way he’s going to allow the Messiah to wash his feet. He strongly objects.

Jesus tells him, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

If that’s the case, Peter replies, he wants his head and hands washed too. Jesus tells him that’s not necessary.

He tells the disciples they are clean, but not everyone of them. He was speaking of Judas because he knew he would betray him.

Jesus then returns to his seat and asks if they understand what he has done. He tells them he has set an example for them of how they are to treat each other, (and in the future, fellow Christians). He tells them they are to wash each other’s feet.

There are some Christian denominations that take Jesus literally at his word here. Most Christians believe that the act is meant to prompt us to serve one another in many, unselfish ways. Foot washing at the time, was a perfect example of humility. It was reserved for servants and a particularly lowly job.

Jesus says that no servant is greater than his master, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed for doing them.”

Jesus demonstrates the necessity of service throughout his life. While this is a beautiful example of his love for his disciples, the ultimate example, will be the cross.

What do you think about John’s description of the Upper Room? I’d love to hear from you.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Lessons from the Well

Posted on by Wendy
Jesus offers us a different kind of water.
Jesus offers us a different kind of water.

I recently re-read the account of the woman at the well in the Gospel of John. This story has always been one of my favorites in the Bible because it’s such a true account of the nature of Jesus. It’s found in John 4:1-41. Jesus was on the way to Galilee and has to go through Samaria. He just happened to be thirsty and alone, along the way, and stopped at Jacob’s Well for a drink of water.

Please keep in mind that Jesus was the son of God; He likely could have snapped his fingers and an angel could have given Him water. We have seen angels provide for basic human needs in the Old Testament. I think Jesus was looking for more than a drink of water. He was looking for a woman, a specific woman, this  Samaritan woman.

The Jews hated the Samaritans. So, of course, that’s where Jesus would head. Social labels meant nothing to Him. These were simply labels on humans from humans. He wasn’t interested in our judgement of each other. Popularity and social status didn’t play a part in the kingdom He was building.

He just happened to be by himself; where were all of those disciples? Coincidence? Not likely. This Samaritan woman comes out in the middle of the day to draw water. She is an outcast of her own people. She’s kind of sneaking down in the middle of the day, to avoid judgement from her own kind. Verses 17 and 18 tell us she has had five husbands and isn’t even married to the man she is currently living with. Scandalous!

This is the stuff of the Jerry Springer Show today. I can’t imagine how trashy it was considered then. So, not only does Jesus stop for a drink in Samaria (land of the not good enough folks), alone; He seeks out the lowest of their society, an outcast. Also, throw in that she was a woman to boot; men had better things to do at the time than to chit-chat with the likes of women.

Yet, here He was. The Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of all mankind, having a chat with the lowest of the low. He tells her everything she has done and talks about living water and then tells her in verse 26, “I am the Messiah!”

Now, Jesus had been hanging out with the “religious people”, and they had given him nothing, but grief and a million questions. They continually tried to trip Him up. Even when the disciples caught up with Him, they were shocked, but didn’t have the nerve to ask why He was talking to her.

What do you think this poor, branded, downcast woman did? She left her jar by the well and ran and told everyone in the village that the Messiah was right there, with them, at the well.

Just a few verses back, she’s sneaking to the well to avoid human contact. One conversation with Jesus, and she’s completely renewed, no longer ashamed of her checkered past, telling as many people as possible, with the confidence of a child of God, that Jesus is here.

Did they believe her? Yes. They went to the well and met Jesus themselves and many believed. They begged Him to stay and He stayed for two days with them, with society’s outcasts.

We have all had some of the woman at the well, feeling. “I’m not good enough.” “I’m not smart enough or eloquent enough.” “I’ve done too much in my past.” We are wrong. Don’t take it from me. Take it from the Bible. Take it from Jesus.

He makes us worthy and good enough, so let’s dust ourselves off and spread the Good News. You are loved. What do you think about the Samaritan woman? I’d love to hear from you.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Hello World

Posted on by Wendy

Welcome! I’m glad you stopped by. This is my very first blog post. For the past eight years, I have been co-director of Vacation Bible School at my church. We choose to use Group Publishing each year because we love their themes. They are tons of fun and tied very closely to the Bible. The kids (and adults), get to sing and dance, create art, have a snack and learn more about God. They really should create VBS  for adults; but that’s a post for later.

Although the theme changes every year, Group always includes a “Watch for God” part of their curriculum. The kids get a little rubber bracelet to remind them to watch for God  all around them when the leave for the day and come back the next day ready to share what they saw. Then we create a “God Sightings Wall,” where they post all that they saw. Children are amazing in their ability to see God in what we would consider the mundane, but Jesus did say that we would need the faith of a child to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Over the past couple of years, I have taken up the challenge to “Watch for God,” in my own life and as I looked for him, I began to see  him more and more in the everyday. At some point, I began to write it down, not knowing exactly what I would do with it. Then, I began to feel a little nudge to share.

The little nudge got stronger. I often pray for what I call megaphone moments where God says in a booming voice from a burning bush, “Go and do this…” Let’s face it; those are usually rare, but after several nights of tossing and turning,  thinking about a blog and sharing the God Sightings in my life, I figured out how to create a site and here I am.

I hope my sightings will inspire you to “Watch for God” in your life and I hope you will share your God Sightings with me. Have an awesome day. 🙂

Wendy