What Jesus Did! 'Getting Real' — John 13:4-5

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

So [Jesus] got up from the table [before the "Last Supper"], took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.
— John 13:4-5 NLT

Key Thought

"Get real, man!" is a slang expression intended to bring someone into reality - no exaggeration, no pretending, no imaginary tale. Jesus' washing the disciples' feet is a time when God's becoming human flesh "gets real." Jesus, God come in human flesh, takes water and washes the dirt and grime off his disciples' feet. God becomes soiled with the dirt and stench of the world to show his love to all - to the disciples, including even the treacherous Judas, to us, and to all his creation. The same dirt from which he made humanity is now the dirt he must wash away to recreate humanity. Jesus gets real! That, my friend, is the crux of the Jesus story - that God would come to our world to bring us to his home at such great cost. Will you believe that this incredible story is true? If you do, everything is different!

Today's Prayer

Almighty and loving Father, I praise you for your work in creating me in your image. I thrill at the thought that you fashioned me in my mother's womb. I am overjoyed that you have re-created me new in Jesus. I thank you for being willing to get your hands dirty with the dirt of my world and my life to bring me home to you. In Jesus' name, I praise you. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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Illustration

Illustration of John 13:4-5 NLT — "Last Supper"

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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