~ Jesus Christ in Action ~
Introduction ~ Looking back at the history of “Abundant Life Now” posts, we discovered that there have been 60 posts entitled “7 [topic]” through June 2021. Surprisingly, that equals two months’ worth of daily posts since the beginning of ALN on October 21, 2009. During each day of this seventh month of 2021, each ALN post is a “7 [topic].”
The Scene ~ “Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, are You washing my feet?’”
Key Concept ~ In just three verses we see Jesus Christ taking seven actions as the ultimate servant-leader in action!
The Actions ~ “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose (1) from supper and laid (2) aside His garments, took (3) a towel and girded (4) Himself. After that, He poured (5) water into a basin and began to wash (6) the disciples’ feet, and to wipe (7) them with the towel with which He was girded” (John 13:3-5).
Emotional Impact ~ In looking at this passage it is easy to overlook the fact that the “Beloved Disciple” is writing about a personal experience which occurred some 60 years earlier! The fact that he remembers such details makes it clear that the Savior serving His followers left an indelible memory. John’s personal time with Jesus had long-lasting impact.
Concluding Thought ~ How much lasting impact does your time alone with Jesus (in the Word of God and in prayer) have on you and the actions of your life? How do you measure up as a servant following in your Master’s footsteps?
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
