John 13
October Memory Verse: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 (NIV)
John 13
When I was in college, I was on the leadership team of the campus ministry I was heavily involved in. One of the things we would do at the annual leadership team retreat before the start of the school year is that the returning people on the leadership team would wash the feet of the new people on the leadership team. This was to promote a servant’s posture and team unity—as a sophomore in college, I honestly just thought it was a little awkward.
In some ways, I felt like Peter did in our passage today. In my pride, it’s easy to be more focused on my pride and what makes me comfortable or feels acceptable to me. As awkward as it was for me to have my feet washed by a classmate, how much more awkward would it have been for the disciples to have their feet washed by their teacher and leader? Remember, this was a task that was not traditionally done by leaders; it was done by the lowest of servants.
Starting in verse 12, Jesus is explaining why he did what he did. He is wanting his disciples to understand that in their pride, they are so consumed with themselves, their positions, and power that they are not loving people the way God designed them to.
What I think is interesting is that this account is leading up to the cross and resurrection. The answer to the pride and unbelief of the disciples is the same for us: the gospel! Before you roll your eyes and think that I’m over simplifying it, let me encourage you to not move past your need for the gospel. Seek to understand its beauty and depth, not JUST in a theological sense, but in a practical one as well.
This focus on servanthood reminds me of verses that I would encourage you to spend time meditating and praying through today in Philippians 2:
By: Graham Withers
John 13
When I was in college, I was on the leadership team of the campus ministry I was heavily involved in. One of the things we would do at the annual leadership team retreat before the start of the school year is that the returning people on the leadership team would wash the feet of the new people on the leadership team. This was to promote a servant’s posture and team unity—as a sophomore in college, I honestly just thought it was a little awkward.
In some ways, I felt like Peter did in our passage today. In my pride, it’s easy to be more focused on my pride and what makes me comfortable or feels acceptable to me. As awkward as it was for me to have my feet washed by a classmate, how much more awkward would it have been for the disciples to have their feet washed by their teacher and leader? Remember, this was a task that was not traditionally done by leaders; it was done by the lowest of servants.
Starting in verse 12, Jesus is explaining why he did what he did. He is wanting his disciples to understand that in their pride, they are so consumed with themselves, their positions, and power that they are not loving people the way God designed them to.
What I think is interesting is that this account is leading up to the cross and resurrection. The answer to the pride and unbelief of the disciples is the same for us: the gospel! Before you roll your eyes and think that I’m over simplifying it, let me encourage you to not move past your need for the gospel. Seek to understand its beauty and depth, not JUST in a theological sense, but in a practical one as well.
This focus on servanthood reminds me of verses that I would encourage you to spend time meditating and praying through today in Philippians 2:
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
By: Graham Withers
2 Comments
Good word to start the week Graham. I have rarely seen leaders in high positions with humility and a servant's heart. Over the course of thirty five plus years in the business world I only remember a few leaders who exhibited these behaviors. Why is this the case? I think it comes down to one word, pride. When men & women achieve high levels of authority and have many people answering to them, pride can easily overtake them. When Christians are blessed with success in whatever field they work it is critical to retain humility and a servant's heart. It is so rare that people will notice and be drawn to them. It's a great "on-ramp" to share Jesus with coworkers and lead them to the Prince of Peace & humble servant Savior.
On another note, verse 27 grabbed my attention today. "When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him." So Judas was dining with The Bread of Life and satan entered him upon eating physical bread. It's easy for me to read this 2,000 years after the event and judge Judas for his evil behavior. However it occurred to me that I can easily do the same thing. As a Christ follower I have the Bread of Life with me and can still allow satan to lead me astray. My prayer for myself and all Christians is that we immerse ourselves in the Word and put on the full armor of God each day. Scripture assures us that satan will flee from us if we resist him and submit ourselves to God. (James 4:7)
Pride and unbelief in the same sentence. I guess my lack of faith is quite prideful because I think my ideas are better than God's, if I am not trusting Him. I need to be more mindful of this. Thank you so much, Graham.