First Step - day 25

Today’s Bible Reading

John 13:3-15

3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realise now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10 Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”

11 For He knew who was going to betray Him, and that was why He said not every one was clean.

12 When He 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. 13 “You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. What did Jesus do for His disciples at dinnertime? According to the custom of that day, who should have done this?

2. Why did Jesus wash His disciples’ feet? (v.12).

3. What can be the equivalent of footwashing today? In what other ways can you imitate Christ and do as He has done?

Today’s Key Verse:

1 Corinthians 11:1

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Scattered Fruit

Thestory is told of a Christian, many years ago, who was home on leave from the armed forces. He was rushing to catch his train when he ran into a fruit stand on the station platform, knocking most of the piled-up apples to the ground.

The young boy who worked on the stand tried to pick up his scattered fruit but was having difficulty. The apologetic serviceman put down his luggage and started

collecting the apples. He polished each one with his handkerchief and put it back on the counter. So impressed was the boy that he asked gratefully, “Soldier, are you Jesus?” With a smile the soldier replied, “No, but I’m trying to be like Him.”

Sometimes, as we hurry about our own responsibilities, we become too busy to care about other people. But we must remember that Jesus urges us to show kindness and concern to those around us. He set the example for us in John 13 by being a servant. We need to take the time to be helpful also.

Would anyone ask of us, “Are you Jesus?” And could we honestly respond, “No, I’m not Jesus, but I’m trying to be like Him”? Christ-like kindness can open the door for us to share Jesus with others.

—Vernon Grounds

Be like Jesus, this my song, In the home and in the throng; Be like Jesus, all day long! I would be like Jesus. —Rowe

Nothing is more attractive than being like Jesus.