Background Story: Jesus knew that He was going to Jerusalem to suffer and die. But before this, Jesus sat at a table and celebrated the Passover with his disciples. These men (minus Judas) were chosen by God to spread the gospel and lead His church. Jesus chose this moment to teach the disciples an important truth.

Read John 13:1-17

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!”

¹⁰ Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their 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 Very truly I tell you, 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.

Big Idea: Let us be imitators of Jesus so the world around us sees Him through our lives.

Did you ever play that game Simon Says? One person is the leader and you listen intently following their example. I thought of that silly childhood game today when reading this passage today.

Picture this- the Son of God washed His disciples feet. These men witnessed Jesus heal the sick, set the demon possessed free, and call Lazarus from the grave. The power, authority, and majesty of Jesus was fully displayed as evidence that Jesus was the Messiah. Now Jesus is celebrating this important feast with his disciples, and instead of a servant coming in and washing the dust and grime from their feet, Jesus takes this posture. He removes His garment and kneels before these men, taking the place of a servant. Then Jesus says something lifechanging. “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.”

In Ephesians 5:1-2, we read, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” To imitate is “to mimic, reproduce closely, assume the appearance of, or resemble.” Jesus has called us to be imitators of Himself, not in His glory, but as a servant.

Disciples or followers of Jesus are “the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:15). In this me-centered society, no one want to serve. But when we serve like Jesus, love like Jesus, and give of ourselves without applause or reward, we are spreading the gospel. Those far from God are drawn to Him from the aroma of our lives. It can produce in them a question, longing, or thirst to seek out this God for themselves. Ask the Lord today for opportunities to serve without applause, and watch as God uses this to spread the gospel.

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Dig Deeper: John 17:19-24, Philippians 2:1-18, Mark 10:45, 1 John 3:16, Romans 12:1-18, Ephesians 4:1-4, Matthew 6:5-21

Similar Devotions: A Different Love, What Is A Follower?, Why Am I Here?, Am I Numb?,  I Want to See, Never Forget, The Responsive Heart, Caused to Question, A Witness, Been With Jesus

Devotions4Teens Videos: Becoming More Like Jesus, I Want to See, Sharing Your Faith, The Gospel- 3 Minute Presentation, Sneaky Sin, Thirsting For God