1 of 2

The disciples fight over who would become The Top Dogs in the coming kingdom. God the Son turns greatness on its head as he stoops down and washes the disciples' stinky, dirty feet. Peter recoils at the thought of the Messiah-King doing such a menial (even disgusting) task. Jesus puts Peter in his place, and then the impetuous disciple cries out for a full-body scrub-down. This week our readings explored this scene from John's Gospel. Now, we'll end the week by looking at the very personal implications of this Key Study Passage.

Key Study Passage:

John 13:1-17

1. Reflect on a time you were disappointed or upset because you didn't receive a promotion or the recognition you were certain you deserved. How do you now feel about how you acted or felt?
2. What is your reaction when you read about or see people in authority serving selflessly and willingly?
3. Reread Wednesday and Friday's devotions, looking for the qualities that moved Jesus to do such a lowly task. What other qualities come to mind that are not found in these devotions? What would need to change in your heart or life so that these qualities could be manifested more willingly and readily?

Spend Time in Prayer: Ask your Servant-Savior to help you look deeply into your soul, exposing any insecurities, fears, or sins that keep you from developing his servant heart; confess any sins that come to mind; ask for the grace to serve more willingly and selflessly.

John 13:1-17

Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet

1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, 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!"

next page... |  1 of 2

share this page

Prayer for the Week

Dear Father, help me to slow down and think deeply and often about the truth that "the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).

				Try an Issue of Men of Integrity Free! Name Street Address City/State/Zip Email Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for Canadian Orders. If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless. Give Men of Integrity as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!

FREE Newsletter Sign up for the Men of Integrity Newsletter (All fields required)    RSS Feed   RSS Help