Serving God and Loving Others Along the Way.

John 13:1-5
1 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

Wow! Isn't that a good example of love? Jesus shows it so well here. If someone didn't know how Jesus acts, you could probably show them these verses and they'd have a pretty good biography of him already.

Jesus even washes the feet of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Most of us would never consider doing such an act of kindness, but Jesus did, so keep that in mind.
Let me share more of John 13 (verses 12-17) with you and then ponder...

12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

I mentioned the fruits of the spirit more than a week ago and in this case Jesus portrayed humility and love to his disciples to a great extent. He showed them how to be good servants. Now God is telling us to go forth and love others. Your love for others will bless you and prove to others that you are Jesus' disciples.

Now keep in mind, you're not asked to bring a bucket to school or work and wash your friends' feet, but the idea is to LOVE one another just as God loves you!

"The only way you can serve God is by serving other people." ~Rick Warren