Simon Says
Background Story: Jesus is meeting with his disciples in Jerusalem and knows the time is near.
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 was thinking of that silly childhood game today when I was reading this passage. Jesus said something remarkable in verses 14 and 15, “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.”
Imitators. Dictionary.com’s defines it “to mimic, reproduce closely, assume the appearance of, or resemble.” Jesus has called us to be imitators of Himself. Why? To the people around us that are far from Him, we are the closest thing they have. 2 Corinthians 2:15 says, “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” Through the aroma of our lives (whether smelly or sweet), we are showing them Jesus. Of course we won’t be perfect, but it’s important we understand the incredible calling Jesus has given us to be His hands, feet, and aroma to a world far from Him.
Today let’s pray…Jesus help me love like You love. Help me serve like You serve. Help me respond how You respond. Help me extend grace as You have extended grace to me. Give me eyes to see the hurting, the broken, and the scarred. Help me have the words today so they see You in me, my hope and glory (Colossians 1:27).
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