Jesus was participating in the Feast of the Passover with His disciples when He “…rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to WASH THE DISCIPLES‘ FEET, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” (John 13:4-5) Jesus did this now and a little later, “He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22) A new start for man with God. Not unlike in the beginning when God knelt down and formed Adam and breathed His Spirit into Him.
Jesus then said to them, “I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you IF you do them.” (John 13:15-17) This was an act and display of agapé love. With this Jesus says, “A NEW COMMANDMENT I give to you, 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 (echō: to hold fast, keep) LOVE for one another.” (John 13:34-35) Love is the proof of our discipleship! “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we LOVE THE BRETHREN. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that NO MURDERER HAS ETERNAL LIFE abiding in him. By this we know love, because JESUS LAID DOWN HIS LIFE for us. And we also ought to LAY DOWN OUR LIVES for the brethren.” (1 John 3:14-16)
- “Beloved, let us love one another,
- for love is of God;
- and everyone who loves is BORN of God and KNOWS God.
- He who does not love DOES NOT KNOW GOD,
- for GOD IS LOVE.” (1 John 4:7-8)
-Bill Stockham