Daily Devotional – Service is a Fruit of Love
By Living Better on February 7, 2020
Our scripture for the Daily Devotional today is taken from John 13: 1-17. If I will boast, I will boast in the name of Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross. It is not for me to boast of His works in and through me. It is all for the glory of God that He does everything. Rather, I will serve, as this is when I most feel close to God!
“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.
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6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.“
In John, we see the great example of Jesus serving His disciples. Jesus’ love for His disciples caused Him to look past who He is. It caused Him to get on His hands and feet and to carefully tender to His disciples. The act of washing the feet is one that required Jesus to methodically care for each person.
Our love for one another will draw us into a submissive role. So many discussions over the years have been focused on the scripture that encourages a wife to submit herself to her husband. Submission is a decision. It is what we do from a free will. We choose to place ourselves under the authority and leadership of another. Love is the cause and determining factor that has us submit.
The opposite of submission is prideful boasting. The opposite of love is selfish gain and glorification. In order for us to show our love of God in this world, we are to love one another. This requires us to submit and serve each other as unto God, and for God’s glory.
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you, God, that You have given us such a great example of love. You loved us as you washed the disciple’s feet, and you loved us as You hung on the cross. Strengthen me as I submit myself to those around me that lead and love me.
In Jesus name
Amen
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