John 13:13-15
It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 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.
Reflection
I am sure this passage of scripture seems very familiar. It has turned up in sermons and in the journals prior to this time. However, there is much to learn from this passage.
Jesus is putting the principle of demonstration into action. Jesus is living out what he wants his disciples to learn and then do themselves. He wants them to live out sacrificial servant love. So, Jesus shows them how to do it. That’s what we must do when we are making disciples. We need to demonstrate what it means to follow Jesus in our lives. Then, as we spend time with those who have not come to Jesus they can see what a life following Jesus looks like.
However, all of this assumes that we are living and willing to following the footsteps of Jesus. The only way we can demonstrate how to be a disciple of Jesus is to be a disciple of Jesus. That means that we must obey and follow Jesus’ commands. If we are living a life of willful disobedience towards Jesus then we will never be able to demonstrate what discipleship truly is.
How have you demonstrated being a disciple of Jesus in your life?
Do you have issues of obedience that you need to deal with so that you can be a disciple that demonstrates the way of Jesus?
