Check out all the previous Ripple Effect readings here.
Ripple Effect Reading | Week 1 | Day 1
Prayer
As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. Ask Him to teach you more about Himself 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
We are beginning a new message series and reading plan this week: Ripple Effect. We are looking at the fact that our lives and our actions, will ripple out to other people and into their lives. This is a powerful idea that if harnessed for the goodness of God can make a massive impact in our world. One of the greatest ways that you can impact someone’s life is actually to serve them. To be selfless and to use your gifts or abilities to impact someone else’s life. We see Jesus do that all the time. In fact, this week, we are going to look at Jesus and how he served and caused ripple effects.
We start with a story in John 13, which we will look at for the first three readings of this week. This is the night before Jesus is crucified (and the night before Passover – a Jewish festival celebrating the release of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery). The disciples and Jesus are gathered in a room sharing a meal together.
We are told there are things Jesus’ knew – did you see that? If you ever wondered what Jesus knew when He was on earth about his divinity, this passage makes it clear. We are told He knew…
- “The hour had come for him to leave the world.” In other words, he knew that he was about to face the cross and die.
- “He was going to the Father.” He knew that this death wasn’t the end, but that there would be joy in returning to the Father, and He would draw strength from that.
- “The Father had put all things under his power” He knew He had all authority in heaven and earth.
- “He had come from God and was returning to God.” He knew He had been sent on a mission and would be returning to God when that mission was completed.
So knowing all these things, what did Jesus do? Did He sit back and expect everyone to do His bidding? Did He scoff at the pathetic abilities of those around Him? Did He wave a wand and zap people? Nope! What did He do? “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.” He served. He wrapped a towel around his waist and washed the disciples’ stinky, muck covered feet. This was the task that the lowest servant was responsible for.
Jesus knew who He was and then He served. That is the character of our God! He didn’t consider His authority and power a place of privilege but a place to serve from. To quote Voltaire (or Uncle Ben in Spiderman), “With great power comes great responsibility.” Jesus knew His power and He willingly took on responsibility with a towel around his waist. Tomorrow we will read how the disciples, in particularly Peter, responded to Jesus’ servitude.
- What surprises you in these verses today?
- Where do you have influence, leadership, power? How are you using that?
Prayer
Pray 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
