Stephan Hoffman

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.  John 13:14-15

Jesus humbled himself by doing the work of a servant. He washed the feet of his disciples. The reason is that he wanted to show them what real love was about. True love is willing to sacrifice and serve.  Jesus then gives them the assignment: ‘A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’ (v34-35)

The disciples still do not understand fully who Jesus is and what's going to happen. Judas goes into the dark night (v30) to betray Jesus and Peter hears that he will deny Jesus three times before the night is over.

How could the poor disciples be expected to know that this great Teacher of theirs, was much greater and more than they at this stage realised?  How could they foresee that he would walk through the path of suffering and death?  This cruel death on the cross.

Only later would they realise the significance of Jesus' words and deeds. Only after his resurrection, would they realise that he was more than they could ever imagine.

If Jesus, who is King of the Universe, was prepared to wash our feet, to serve and suffer in our place, then we have no choice but to follow his example of love.  Come let us look today where we can serve someone else with love.  Come let us try to put aside our opinion of ourselves and our own position of authority, and shoulder someone else’s burden.  We can never imitate Jesus and be exactly as he is, but we have been called by Jesus himself to follow his example of love towards ourselves and others.

This love will be our greatest witness to the world, so that others may be called to be disciples of the Lord.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that you were willing to humble yourself and live as man. Thank you that you were prepared to live, to suffer and to die in our place, so that we could rise with you.  Help us to follow your example of loving servanthood.  Amen