Second’s Appearance
Foot Washing – Part 1

Scripture Reading:  John 13:12-17

Key Verse:  John 13:14

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.

Can you imagine the dirt on your feet after walking in sandals over very dry dusty paths all day long?  Since this was the lifestyle of people in Jesus’ day, they always needed their feet cleaned, even after bathing the rest of their bodies.  The custom of the day was to have a servant prepare water and have a towel ready to wash the feet of those they served.  It was the lowest and most humbling of jobs among the servants of the house.

            The Gospel of John reports that during the last supper with His disciples, Jesus got up from the table and washed His disciple’s feet.  Peter resisted, but Jesus made it clear that it was essential for Him to wash Peter’s feet.  When Jesus had finished, He sat back down at the table and made sure they understood what had just happened.  This would not have been necessary if it was all about the feet being washed.  The disciples had seen that done hundreds of times, but Jesus pointed to its symbols that He feared they might miss!  To be a servant to one another is one’s highest calling if they wanted to truly be followers of Jesus!

            I love the way Jesus ended this lesson: “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”  God can bless you today if you do what you know you ought to do!  (Continued.)

Father, I am determined to live out my knowledge today with your help.  I will serve those around me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.