John 13:12-17
12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
At the Last Supper, Jesus commanded his disciples to follow his example: "For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you" (verse 15). In particular, that meant that they should wash each others feet as Jesus had washed their feet. The act of washing feet was a menial act of service. What it demonstrated was a sacrificial love and care for another. That is in contrast to our typical sexual fantasies, which are about others loving us, and what we can get from them. It may help to ask ourselves, what would Jesus do with this person? Would He try to fulfill His own desires with them, or would He love them in a deeper and meaningful and self-giving way?
Heavenly Father, help me to love as You love.
12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
At the Last Supper, Jesus commanded his disciples to follow his example: "For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you" (verse 15). In particular, that meant that they should wash each others feet as Jesus had washed their feet. The act of washing feet was a menial act of service. What it demonstrated was a sacrificial love and care for another. That is in contrast to our typical sexual fantasies, which are about others loving us, and what we can get from them. It may help to ask ourselves, what would Jesus do with this person? Would He try to fulfill His own desires with them, or would He love them in a deeper and meaningful and self-giving way?
Heavenly Father, help me to love as You love.