John

Check out all the previous John readings here.

John Reading Plan | Week 8, Day 1

Prayer

As you spend time with Jesus, allow your mind and body to settle until you feel fully present. Ask Him to help you learn more about Him today.

Bible Reading: John 13:1-5

Read these verses three times slowly.

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.

The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.Jesus knew that 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 & Questions

By Ken Mullette

This week, we’ll dive into a profoundly significant moment in time—John 13, where we witness a turning point in the life of Jesus and His relationship with His disciples. In this chapter, Jesus prepares His disciples for the events that will soon unfold, including His crucifixion. This is a moment that reveals the depth of Jesus’ love, humility, and the radical nature of His teachings. As He approaches His final hours with His disciples, He demonstrates the kind of love and servanthood that will define His kingdom.

In John 13:1-5, Jesus chooses to wash His disciples’ feet, a task that, in His time, was reserved for the lowest servant in the household. As we read this, it’s almost as if we are witnessing the Son of God perform an act that feels uncomfortable to even imagine. Think about it in terms of a task we can understand: cleaning a litter box. For cat owners, this is an unpleasant, humbling task that no one would eagerly volunteer for. If cleaning a litter box is something we might consider “dirty work,” Jesus washing the feet of His disciples is, in comparison, infinitely more humbling.

His love for His disciples is not just seen in grand miracles or profound teachings but in these humble actions. In washing their feet, Jesus not only meets their physical needs but also teaches a spiritual lesson that goes far beyond the surface. He could have easily asked His disciples to wash each other’s feet, but instead, He lowers Himself and takes on the role of the servant, modeling the leadership He desires for His followers. This moment echoes what He’s taught about sacrificial love throughout His ministry, showing that real love is willing to get down into the mess, just as He was willing to do.

1. What does Jesus’ act of washing the disciples’ feet reveal about the heart of a servant leader?
2. In what areas of your life is God calling you to serve others humbly?

Prayer

Pray in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

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Questions?