Today's Passage - John 13:4-11

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english John 13:4-11   He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"  Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."  "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."  Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."   During the Last Supper, all the disciples gathered together.  Back then, people walked around in sandals, so when they entered into a house, their feet were rather dirty.  Also, when they ate they actually sat on the ground.  You can imagine that if no one washes their feet, it would be incredibly uncomfortable for every to eat with the stinky smell.  Therefore, everyone typically washed their feet before they came in to eat.  Who, however, would wash everyone's feet?  Typically a house servant would wash everyone's feet, but on that day when disciples entered the house, there was no servant around.  The disciples didn't submit to each other, so no one would humble themselves to wash the feet of others.  They all thought: "Why do I have to wash your feet?  Why don't you wash my feet first?"   Aren't we often like that when we serve others?  We like to compare with others, thinking: "I'll just do you my thing and you do yours, we have nothing to do with each other!  Why do I need to wash your feet?  You should be washing my feet!"  The Bible says that we must consider others better than us, but we often consider ourselves better than others.  So, no one wants to be humble first and wash each other's feet.  Since none of the disciples would humble themselves to serve others, Lord Jesus began to wash the feet of the disciples.   Peter didn't understand the spiritual meaning of the act of Jesus, and he only saw how Lord washed their feet.  Lord Jesus, however, wanted to teach the disciples once again through the lesson of washing each other's feet: When we follow God, we need to humble ourselves to serve people.  When we serve people, we are actually serving God.  That's why Jesus Christ said: "When you do this on the smallest one, you are doing it on me."  We very often are willing to serve God, but are we willing to serve people?  May God put the attitude of a servant of people in our hearts!        Pray with Pastor Tong           Dear Lord, please let us understand how to serve people around us, because that it your will.  You came to serve people, so we ask that you also make us your servant and let us follow your footsteps.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!