For Saturday March 11, 2023
John 13:5
[Jesus] poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet
and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
Your boss has assigned you a task: come up with a creative solution to a problem that has been costing the company money. You tackle work at night and on weekends, doing the needed research. Your boss is enthusiastic about your proposal. Later, in a company-wide meeting, the president gives your boss credit for the solution. Over time, you find it increasingly difficult to continue serving your boss faithfully.
Serving people who have wounded us is a challenge. Jesus overcame that challenge on the night He was arrested, accused, and sentenced to die. He had gathered with His disciples to celebrate the Passover, when He took a towel and a basin of water and began to wash their feet. In that group of twelve was Judas, a thief and a generally disagreeable sort, whom Jesus knew was about to betray Him (John 13:1–6). Judas left the meeting early to arrange the betrayal of Jesus, but not before Jesus washed his feet, along with those of the faithful eleven who remained.
The next time God asks you to serve someone you would rather not, remember how, on the road to Calvary, Jesus washed the feet of an unlovely man.
It is a contradiction to be a true Christian and not humble.
RICHARD BAXTER
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 