“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:13-17 KJV)
Jesus knew that his earthly time was ending. He was on his way to the Cross. From there, He would die, be buried, and rise again, then ascend back to his Father’s house. “. . . his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father” (v.1). Despite what others were doing (v. 2), Jesus was confident in his own purpose and task (v.3).
So, He arose from the table and surprised his disciples with a lesson they were not expecting. But his goal was to leave them an example they could follow. Despite their association and fellowship over the last three years, the disciples had failed to learn some essential lessons. They were confused about leadership and serving others.
So Jesus gave them “an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you.” He didn’t just give them a principle to understand. It was not mere symbolism. Rather, he gave them actions to exemplify. This wasn’t simple theoretical leadership service. It was real-time, how-to activity that would transform them into Christ-like leaders. It wasn’t just about “knowing these things”, but about being “happy if ye do them” (v.17).
We know this year is ending. Do we know where we are going? Do we know what we are supposed to be doing for the Lord? Christ has given us the answers, the road map, and his example to follow. Imagine how different our world will be when we exemplify Christ’s example! His example is for following . . . each day . . . through each challenge . . . for each need.
We call him Savior and Lord, and He is that, but his will is that we should follow his example. Happiness comes through obedience!
Dear Father, thank you for the example we have in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Strengthen us that we may exemplify his behavior and attitudes. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today as you follow his example,