Ripple Effects Reading Plan – W1D3

Check out all the previous Ripple Effect readings here.

Ripple Effect Reading | Week 1 | Day 3

Prayer

Take a moment to be silent and still. In order to be fully present in body and mind, take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. Do this three times. Pray that God would open your eyes to wonderful things from His word today.

Bible Reading: John 13:12-17

Read these verses three times slowly.

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. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Reflection & Questions

We have been reading about an incredible act this week. Jesus, knowing He is God and has all authority in the universe, dons a towel and washes his disciples’ feet. Today, having returned to his place at the table, he asks them “Do you understand what I have done for you?” This is the question of a teacher, who wants to reflect together and learn. What’s the lesson? Everyone in the kingdom of God is a servant. Jesus’ gives them four statements on why:

You’re never above serving. “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” In other words, there is no role that exists that will remove you from doing even the most lowest of jobs.
Jesus-followers do what Jesus did. “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” If you’re a disciple of Jesus that means you aim to live like Jesus lived and taught and there’s a few perfectly plain ways that is shown – and one of those is serving others.
Don’t make yourself greater than Jesus. “Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” If you opt out of serving others, you’ve set yourself up in pride above Jesus Himself. It goes without saying, that’s not a good place to be.
Serving is the way to the good life. “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” To be blessed, is to live life as God designed, experiencing His favor. It doesn’t always mean the absence of problems, but it does mean the far greater presence of peace and purpose.

So as we finish this section of John 13, we have a solid picture that serving is a critical aspect to being a disciple of Jesus because Jesus is a servant. The question is, what is our response?

Which reason of Jesus for serving resonates with you the most right now? Why?
How could you serve others today?

Prayer

Talk to God in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

Check out more Bible Reading Plans here.

Questions?

Ed Applegate