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You would think that loving fellow believers would be an easy task. However, we all know that some of our 'fellow
believers' are the hardest people we know to love. This week we will look at what Jesus taught his disciples about loving
and serving one another.
 1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come
for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full
extent of his love.[a] 2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas
Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things
under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got
up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After
that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around
him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
8 "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless
I wash you, you have no part with me." 9 "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not
just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" 10 Jesus answered, "A person
who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you."
11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one
was clean. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes
and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13
"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now
that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell
you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13: 1-17 NIV
Jesus knew what was about to happen. He knew that this would be the last meal he shared with his friends.
He knew that there was still much he needed to teach them.
Washing of feet was something usually done by the lowest of servants. So it was quite the surprise when Jesus began
washing the disciples feet. He was using this act of feet washing to demonstrate servitude. Simply telling them
to serve one another would not have made the impact that his demonstration did.
We can demonstrate Christian love by remembering Jesus' teachings. We must never place ourselves above our fellow
believers. When we adopt Jesus' attitude of servanthood, we can truely begin to love one another.
Think about it:
What is something you would consider a 'lowly' job?
Would you be willing to do this job for a fellow believer?
How can you demonstrate this lesson in the coming week?
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