The Example of Christ

Grace for All

Imitators of Christ

(Our theme for October)

John 13:15

For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

Imagine with me for a few minutes. You are one of Jesus' apostles. You have been with him since he started his ministry - about three years now. The things you have seen are amazing, even miraculous. You've seen him heal people and feed people. You were there when he walked on the sea. You've laughed with him, and cried with him.

You are gathered together for the Passover meal. You're a little anxious because Jesus has been saying some things in the last few days that you've never heard before and are a little confusing. He talked about "his burial," and how he will be "glorified," and "raised up." He rode into town on the back of a donkey as crowds of people cheered for him, saying "Hosanna," but now you're hiding - again.

You're sitting at the table, and you notice Jesus get up. He takes off his robe and ties a towel around his waist. You think, "What is he doing?" as he takes a basin and fills it with water. He kneels at the feet of the man across the table and begins to wash his feet. "Don't we have servants for that?" you ask yourself.

As he makes his way around the table, you get more anxious. As he takes your foot and washes it, you think, "This is God's son. Why is he doing this?" As he looks you in the eye you feel a warmth and love you have never felt before wash over you like a flood. You realize just how much he means to you.

When he finishes, Jesus puts his robe back on and sits down. He explains what he has done and then says, "For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you."

Later he drives the point home: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you. By this all people will know that you are my disciples.”

The next few days are the most momentous in history. Jesus is arrested in the middle of the night. He is put through a sham trial and crucified. You watch it all, in fear for your life. Later, Jesus comes to you, fully alive. He charges you to tell the world about him and what he has done. You spend the rest of your life doing just that, never forgetting the time Jesus washed your feet.

What are we to take from this? Jesus gave that commandment to his disciples the night before he was crucified. We just heard him give it to us in our imaginations. We read it in the Gospel of John, and it is as applicable to us today as it was then.

If we say we love Jesus and want to be like him, we are commanded to love other people. It's not a suggestion - it's a command. We show that love by serving people, and knowing that service really doesn't have limits. If God himself, through his son Jesus, can get on his knees and wash nasty feet, what right do I have to think any form of service is below me?

It's pretty simple, really. Love people. Show that love like Jesus did, by serving people, even if it means performing the lowliest task there is.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for the gift of Jesus and the gift of his resurrection. Never let us forget that service to those you love is what you require us to do. Give us the wisdom and courage to do so. Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Cliff McCartney.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

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First United Methodist Church is a lively, spirit-filled congregation whose goal is to spread the message of love and grace into our community and throughout the world. We are located on the web at https://1stchurch.org/.