Jesus wash our feet

...so when He had washed their feet......

Imagine the love of Christ! Who could understand what was going on in His heart at this moment? He was setting an example to His disciples, before He would enter into His Gethesame. And what a lesson indeed!

Jesus, the Son of God, took on the servant's garb, one of the lowliest positions in society, to wash the muck off the apostles' feet. He understood exactly what was to happen to Him and still He came to the one who would betray Him to show Judas His love. There was no finger pointing, no condemnation as He knelt down before Judas's feet to lift them and place them in the bowl of water. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. (Joh 15:13) There was no anger in His heart, no animosity to the one who had walked with Him for three years, and who was now caught up in the greed of money and who would betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. The Son of Man, the One who "knew He had come from God and was returning to God", The Word, through whom all things were created, loved His betrayer to the end. What would have been on His mind right then as He lifted Judas' feet out of the water to gently dry them with a towel? Jesus, troubled in His spirit, would have felt pity for this lost soul, desiring above all that there was no need to lose this one in fulfilment of prophecy. But satan had already entered into Judas' soul and even Christ's example of love, could not dispel the greed within this human heart.

How this tender moment would have marked a vivid impression upon all the disciples minds after Christ's death on the cross. This picture would have played and replayed in technicolour, dashing across the memory in flashes, the undoing of the sandal, the warm water, the hands of the Teacher splashing, rubbing and drying. The eyes connecting, bewilderment in the disciples' eyes, yet love in the Master's gaze.

Not only did Jesus show His disciples the extent of His love, He taught them in word and deed, a new commandment, "that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (Joh 13:34-35)

By this........can we say that we love as Christ has loved us? Does the world see us as those who love one another?

We have a new way to live..... a new walk to walk..... and example to follow and "We love Him because He first loved us." (1 Jn 4:19) The path of blessing lies in our decision to love one another and to help each other walk in the Saviour's example. Love first!