The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 1 April 2021 – TOPIC: WASH ONE ANOTHER’S FEET
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TOPIC: WASH ONE ANOTHER’S FEET
READ: JOHN 13:1 – 15 (NKJV)1. Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.2. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s [son,] to betray Him,3. Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God,4. rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.5. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe [them] with the towel with which He was girded.6. Then He came to Simon Peter. And [Peter] said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”7. Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”8. Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”9. Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also [my] hands and [my] head!”10. Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash [his] feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.”11. For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”12. So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?13. “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, 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 should do as I have done to you.*THE MESSAGE:*Ritual washing of hands, feet, cups, pots and other articles in public worship, was a long established tradition among the Jews (see Mark 7:4-8). This was done by each person or his/her subordinates. Peter was therefore surprised that Jesus chose to wash the disciples’ feet, a role usually reserved for servants (verse 6). It took such strong statements by Jesus in verses 7-8 to convince Peter otherwise. What do you think of Peter’s request in verse 9?In verses 12 to 15, Jesus explained His motive in carrying out the exercise, namely to teach us to wash one another’s feet. This is re-echoed in 1 Peter 2:21 as we are encouraged to follow Christ’s example and walk in His steps. Think of creative ways of washing other people’s feet today. What useful service can you render to someone around you? In doing so, remember to maintain an attitude of humility.*PRAYER:* Oh Lord, help me to find ways of washing the feet of other disciples around me each day in Jesus Name. Amen
