Stress Test Devotional May 4
May 04, 2024
JOHN 13:13-20 |13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16 Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But it is to fulfill the scripture, ‘The one who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I tell you this now, before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am he. 20 Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.”
What if you knew your earthly time was closing out? If you were certain you had a week left. What would you do? Would you visit your favorite places? Would you call your favorite friends? Would you want final pleasures and, like a condemned man, eat a final meal of your favorite foods? Would you rest at all, or would you want to squeeze out as much experience and time as you could?
Jesus knew His earthly life was ending. He kept reminding His friends of this fact. He also knew the ending would be brutal, public, and utterly humiliating. It would have been perfectly understandable if, on the night before the last day, He sought a little distraction or comfort.
Instead, He washed His friend’s feet and sat and talked with them about the power of service. No leader or distinguished figure ever does anything similar at such a time.
Who in your life has been a true servant to you?
Who have you truly served?
Foot washing is intimate. Do you enjoy intimate moments, or avoid them. Why is this so?
