How Long Will You Go

Day 4 - Towels

Jesus...having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end...rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel... and began washing the disciples feet.” John 13:1-4

On the night that Jesus was betrayed He was having dinner with the disciples. As He looked around the room at the men who had followed Him for three years, He wanted to do one more thing to show them the complete extent of His love. He decided to wash their feet.

He did the unimaginable in their culture. The Rabbi became the servant. The One who was held in the highest regard took on the lowest responsibility. One by one, He went around the table with a basin of water and a towel and washed the dirty feet of His disciples.

There are some important points to make about Jesus’ act of service. First, they all needed to have their feet washed. They had been walking on dirty, dusty roads all day in sandals. Maybe it was the locker room smell of twelve men’s dirty feet that prompted Him to grab the towel. Either way, Jesus met a real need.

Second, it was done in an attitude of humility not superiority. Jesus wasn’t trying to show how spiritual He was. He wasn’t being condescending. He just loved them to the maximum.

Third, He did this as an example for us to follow. After He finished washing their feet Jesus told the disciples, “I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” The idea of washing feet as an expression of love is something that we are to imitate.

Now, I don’t think Jesus wants us to go around literally washing people’s feet. But I do think that He wants us practically helping others with acts of service. If we are going to follow Jesus’ example we would start by meeting real needs. Maybe your neighbor’s lawn needs to be mowed. Maybe your wife needs an afternoon off as you watch the kids. Maybe a co-worker needs some help with a project, or a fellow student needs some help with an assignment. It is also important that we don’t offer help with a condescending attitude, but with a compassionate and loving heart. One of the most basic ways that we can show other people God’s love is to offer simple acts of help. Pray for opportunities today to help someone out with a real need.

Challenge: Simply ask someone today how you can help them. You may have to be persistent so that they know that you really mean it. When they ask you why you want to help, tell them that you are just following Jesus’ example of loving others practically.

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