Reflections on John 13:1-30
I am currently going through the Gospel of John in my personal reading time. I recently read through John 13, and was encouraged and challenged by the character of Jesus. There were three moments in particular in the story of Jesus washing the disciples feet that stood out to me:
Jesus loved them to the end
“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” '(vs. 1)
Jesus’ love for His own was not conditional or haphazard. It was an intentional and loyal love. Despite the continual sin and lack of faith from the disciples, Jesus did not turn them away, yet even to His last breath, He displayed His love to them. He showed this through the washing of the disciples’ feet, and ultimately through dying on the cross for their sins. How often can we give up loving those who might seem difficult for us to love? Or even how easy it is to grow frustrated with those around us and respond out of these emotions instead out of love? May we take on the heart of Christ in how we interact with everyone around us. Let us have a similar heart of love that goes to the end because it is set on Christ, who has done the same for us.
Jesus used His authority to serve
“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him” (vs. 3-5).
I find this remarkable. It is not in spite of the authority and power of Jesus that He serves, it’s because of it. I unfortunately cannot say that this is always my heart posture. Regrettably, I have acted as if things were beneath me. Yet we see here that even though Jesus is greatest of all, His humility leads Him to say that when it comes to serving others, nothing is beneath Him. Knowing that we are co-heirs with Christ, and share in the power of the Holy Spirit, this should be our desire and heart posture as well. What would it look like to serve with no reservations? What are some positions that you may be viewing as “too low” and what would it look like to humbly step into those areas of service as you model Christ? This is not just a suggestion, but a command in vs. 14-15. I pray that we all look to Christ and exhibit the humility of Him to those around us.
Jesus served even His own enemies
“After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” (vs. 21-27).
Jesus knew the heart of Judas. It was no surprise that Judas was to betray Jesus. Yet despite this, He still let Judas into His life and served him. He let Judas see the inner workings of His power and ministry. He lavished His love upon Judas. We see the grace and mercy of Jesus here so clearly. He gave Judas every opportunity to turn from the evil in his heart and follow the Messiah. Yet even knowing that Judas would betray Him, Jesus still followed through in His service to him. Are there people around you who do not know Jesus and feel like your enemies? I pray that the Lord will help us to have gracious hearts that heap blessings onto those who are against us. Matthew 5:44 states, “But I say to you, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’”. As Jesus persisted in this, let us do the same, knowing that ultimately, God is the one who changes hearts and brings justice. If Jesus died for us while we were His enemies (Romans 5:8), then we can wisely yet humbly have the same heart.
None of these ways of living are possible on our own. Holy Spirit, please help us to look to Jesus, and strengthen us to live in light of Christ!
