John 13:1-5
13 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.
Jesus had something different in mind for His going away party.
Typically, a going away party is designed to honor the guest. To pay tribute, to build up, encourage, affirm, show affection and to reminisce. But Jesus, instead, decided to leave his followers with something different. Instead of them honoring him, he decided to serve them, to show affection towards them, to be humbled before them, to lift them up, and encourage them.
He washed their feet to show how much he loved them, to be an example to them, and to teach them.
He wanted to have a memory that would last and that would serve them well throughout their life.
Instead of them celebrating His leaving, He was giving them the gift.
There was no glory for Him in His miracles. His glory showed up in His overall sacrifice for us. This was what God wanted to convey more than anything else, that we would fully understand how much He loves us and the extent He will go to show us.
Just a Thought…
