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23 January 2008
Word on the Web
John 13 v 1-11
It was almost time for the Jewish Passover Feast. Jesus knew that it was time for him to leave this world and go back to the Father. He had always loved those who were his own in the world, and he loved them all the way to the end.
Jesus and his followers were at the evening meal. The devil had already persuaded Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to turn against Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him power over everything and that he had come from God and was going back to God. So during the meal Jesus stood up and took off his outer clothing. Taking a towel, he wrapped it around his waist. Then he poured water into a bowl and began to wash the followers' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
Jesus came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
Jesus answered, "You don't understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later."
Peter said, "No, you will never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "If I don't wash your feet, you are not one of my people."
Simon Peter answered, "Lord, then wash not only my feet, but wash my hands and my head, too!"
Jesus said, "After a person has had a bath, his whole body is clean. He needs only to wash his feet. And you men are clean, but not all of you." Jesus knew who would turn against him, and that is why he said, "Not all of you are clean."
Imagine being one of the disciples. You've heard the best preaching ever spoken, you've seen the miraculous; you've been led for three years by the most amazing leader ever to walk this earth. And here He is doing what servants did, washing your dirty smelly feet! No wonder Peter struggled with it.
When I was a kid I used to go and stay with my grandparents sometimes. We always had heaps of fun together - my granddad was a real joker! What I also loved was the endless supply of cakes and puddings. And I was allowed more than one! My gran loved to "spoil" me - give me way more than I deserved. And here is a picture of Jesus spoiling the disciples - giving them way more than they deserved. And that's exactly what He has done for us. He became the servant, died on the cross and has washed us clean - washed our dirty, smelly lives. He's done way more than we deserve. Spoilt us. We only need to accept it like Peter did.
Lord Jesus I accept all that you have done for me. Thanks for your generous heart and for wanting to spoil me with your love. Thanks for washing me clean and for dealing with my old life. Help me to keep that picture in my mind of you washing the disciple's feet.
Written by Mike McLeister
Word on the Web
John 13 v 1-11
It was almost time for the Jewish Passover Feast. Jesus knew that it was time for him to leave this world and go back to the Father. He had always loved those who were his own in the world, and he loved them all the way to the end.
Jesus and his followers were at the evening meal. The devil had already persuaded Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to turn against Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him power over everything and that he had come from God and was going back to God. So during the meal Jesus stood up and took off his outer clothing. Taking a towel, he wrapped it around his waist. Then he poured water into a bowl and began to wash the followers' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
Jesus came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
Jesus answered, "You don't understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later."
Peter said, "No, you will never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "If I don't wash your feet, you are not one of my people."
Simon Peter answered, "Lord, then wash not only my feet, but wash my hands and my head, too!"
Jesus said, "After a person has had a bath, his whole body is clean. He needs only to wash his feet. And you men are clean, but not all of you." Jesus knew who would turn against him, and that is why he said, "Not all of you are clean."
Imagine being one of the disciples. You've heard the best preaching ever spoken, you've seen the miraculous; you've been led for three years by the most amazing leader ever to walk this earth. And here He is doing what servants did, washing your dirty smelly feet! No wonder Peter struggled with it.
When I was a kid I used to go and stay with my grandparents sometimes. We always had heaps of fun together - my granddad was a real joker! What I also loved was the endless supply of cakes and puddings. And I was allowed more than one! My gran loved to "spoil" me - give me way more than I deserved. And here is a picture of Jesus spoiling the disciples - giving them way more than they deserved. And that's exactly what He has done for us. He became the servant, died on the cross and has washed us clean - washed our dirty, smelly lives. He's done way more than we deserve. Spoilt us. We only need to accept it like Peter did.
Lord Jesus I accept all that you have done for me. Thanks for your generous heart and for wanting to spoil me with your love. Thanks for washing me clean and for dealing with my old life. Help me to keep that picture in my mind of you washing the disciple's feet.
Written by Mike McLeister
