Be Washed

Be Washed Knowing His time on earth was nearing a close, Jesus, the Word made flesh, set a compelling example for His followers. “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (John 13:8), Jesus responded to Peter, who couldn’t get over the thought that His Master would wash the dirt off his feet. But what Peter didn’t see then is that Jesus must serve us first before we can serve others. This order, which He modeled through His life, reminds us that we have to come and receive His love before we can ever go and give. After all, “even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). True service is impossible if we are not intrinsically motivated by love. To love is to serve and to put others above yourself, and to serve is to surrender pride and to place intentional yet genuine kindness on display. Jesus did that for us. Unity in Christ is not possible without love. So let’s pause and allow Him to serve us, knowing that we can only give love after we have received His love and mercy.