THE BASIN AND THE TOWEL
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John 13:3-5 |
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| Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God; Rose from supper and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself. After that He poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel. KJV |
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. NIV |
This lesson is completely lost on so many people. The last days of Jesus’ ministry here on earth was soiled and stained by jealousy, in-fighting and envy among His followers. Jesus knew that His hour had come and that He would soon depart from this world. He was having a meal with His disciples when Judas decided that he was going to betray Him to the authorities, and yet despite all this, Jesus gives us a master class in love and humility and begins to wash the feet of the disciples.
Imagine the scene: Here is God, the Creator of all things, manifest in the flesh stooping down so low. He washed the filth off the feet of those who thought they were important enough to curry favour for their own selfish elevation from the One who was soon to shed His blood on the Cross of Calvary for the remission of sins of the whole world.
And yet, despite what Jesus has done for us, there remains division, envy and strife to this day. Will we ever learn? If ever we needed an example of how to treat one another, Jesus supplied it.
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John 13:14-15 |
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| If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. KJV | 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. NIV |
Don’t let this two-point lesson pass you by as you enter the New Year.
- Remember that Jesus humbled Himself and physically washed the feet of the disciples, teaching us humility and how we are to treat others.
- Remember that by coming to Jesus and surrendering your life to Him, He will not only wash your feet, but your whole body, inside and out including your mind and by doing so He will present us to God the Father just as if we had never sinned!
Can we even begin to imagine what that means? OH! what a Saviour we have, who deserves Glory and Honour forever!
Make this a year where the lesson of The Basin and the Towel are prominent in your thoughts and your walk with the Saviour as you share His love with those around you. Are you willing to do that?