What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand. – John 13:7
The Museum of Prado in Madrid, Spain, is home to many significant paintings by artists like Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, El Greco, and more. Among them is the Italian Tintoretto’s six-foot-high and eighteen-foot-wide painting of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples. The well-known event in Scripture took place ahead of the Passover meal on the night in which Jesus was betrayed. The artist’s bold strokes of the brush and the depth of the pigments capture well the darkness that would soon befall them. The disciples did not understand why their Master would discard His garments, wrap a towel about Himself, and stoop to wash their dusty and dirty feet. Jesus knew what was ahead of Him, and He also knew what His disciples would face in their lives.
Later, the apostle Paul would write that Jesus “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). Paul was referencing the birth of Jesus as He laid aside all the trappings of Heaven to be born and live among humanity. Similarly, in today’s verse from John, Jesus emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, to wash the feet of His followers—men He loved so much, men who would take the Gospel to the ends of the earth, men who would suffer and die, often torturous deaths, to serve Him.
In many traditions, on Maundy Thursday, the night before Good Friday, church leaders will wash the feet of their elders or others, or a pastor might wash the feet of several congregants. It is a humbling experience for both. It is that level of humility that allows you to serve the Lord and your fellow believers with love and grace. Ask the Lord to give you greater understanding of how to be humble. Then pray for those in government who do not yet know the Savior to one day kneel humbly before Him.
Today’s Verse: John 13:7
Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: John 13:12-20
12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
