When he (Jesus) had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you should also wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Luke 13: 12-16, NIV.
Gracious God, please speak to our hearts in sweet tones of love as we study Your Word. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
“Do you understand what I have done for you?” Most of the time, I believe that we are like the disciples. We do not understand what the Master is doing, or trying to do, for us. So, oftentimes we do not cooperate with Him, at least, not willingly. The truth is, His ways are “past our finding out.” Why would the Prince of Peace, the King of Heaven, wash the dirty feet of some fishermen, a publican, a traitor; a group of men, who, within a few hours would desert Him and flee? Why would He humble Himself so utterly? What did He have to gain from all of this? For one thing, He had decided to do this. He had made up His mind to “make Himself of no reputation, [and] take upon Himself the form of a servant” (Philippians 2: 7)! This was His decision – to humble Himself! I look in awe at my Savior!
You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you should also wash one another’s feet. What is so significant, is that Jesus never lost sight of who He really was! Not even as a child. When His parents sought Him, grieving, He could not understand their grief! “Why were You upset, didn’t You know that I must do the things that My Father sent Me to do?” When He was at the wedding feast and His mother wanted Him to provide wine, a symbol of His blood, that would soon be spilled for the salvation of the world, He reminded her that His “time had not yet come!” He did not only know what He had come to do, but He also knew the time.
“You are right to call Me Teacher and Lord. That is what I am!” That was His way of putting matters in their right perspective. “I am doing this precisely for your sake. If I, your Lord and Teacher am willing to do this, you should also be willing to do it!” In Jesus’ day, unlike ours, teachers were help in great respect. A teacher’s word was honored highly. Students strove to emulate their teachers. A Lordship implied ownership. The word of the Lord, was law. Therefore, in both instances, as teacher and lord, were included both obedience and emulation. Obey, and do likewise.”
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. As a follow-up to what He has told them, Jesus plainly says, “Follow Me.” The same invitation He gave them at the beginning of His ministry, He is giving them at the close, only in different words, “do as I have done for you.” I imagine, Jesus could look down to our times and see what human beings would make of their “positions in life.” Instead of leaving our “letters,” and “titles” on our certificates and diplomas, we erect a throne for them to sit on, and then we bow down before them. May God have mercy upon us! In fact, even from His day, He made mention of how wrong it was for those who had the rule over the Gentiles to “lord it over them” (Mark 10: 42-45). “So you, my disciples, follow My example.” If we could only hold on, for dear life, to His words, “I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him,” we would do very well! May God help us to follow our “Teacher and Lord,” in humility!