Key Thought

Today's Prayer

Father, I thank you for the many truths that Jesus taught and the many deeds that he performed. Help me move, dear Father, from knowledge and admiration to obedience and emulation. Have your Son's character and compassion come alive in me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

It was almost time for the Jewish Passover festival. Jesus knew that it was time for him to leave this world. It was now time for Jesus to go back to the Father. Jesus had always loved those people in the world who were his. Now was the time Jesus showed them his love the most. Jesus and his followers were at the evening meal. The devil had already persuaded Judas Iscariot to turn against Jesus. (Judas was the son of Simon.) The Father had given Jesus power over everything. Jesus knew this. Jesus also knew that he had come from God. And he knew that he was going back to God. While they were eating, Jesus stood up and took off his robe. Jesus got a towel and wrapped the towel around his waist. Then Jesus poured water into a pitcher. He began to wash the followers' feet. He dried their feet with the towel that was wrapped around his waist. Jesus came to Simon Peter. But Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, you should not wash my feet." Jesus answered, "You don't know what I am doing now. But later you will understand." Peter said, "No! You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "If I don't wash your feet, then you cannot be one of my people." Simon Peter answered, "Lord, after you wash my feet, wash my hands and my head too!" Jesus said, "After a person has a bath, his whole body is clean. He needs only to wash his feet. And you men are clean, but not every one of you." Jesus knew who would turn against him. That is why Jesus said, "Not every one of you is clean." Jesus finished washing their feet. Then he put on his clothes and went back to the table. Jesus asked, "Do you understand what I did for you? You call me 'Teacher.' And you call me 'Lord.' And this is right, because that is what I am. I am your Lord and Teacher. But I washed your feet {like a servant}. So you also should wash each other's feet. I did this as an example for you. So you should do {for each other} like I did for you. I tell you the truth. A servant is not greater than his master. The person that issent to do something is not greater than the one that sent him. If you know these things, you will be happy if you do them.

Related Scripture Readings

You believe in God through Christ. God raised Christ from death. Then God gave glory to him. So your faith and your hope are in God. Now you have made yourselves pure by obeying the truth. Now you can have true love for your brothers and sisters. So love each other deeply—with all your heart. You have been born again. This new life did not come from something that dies. It came from something that cannot die. You were born again through God's living message that continues forever. The Scripture says, "People {don't live forever; they} are all like grass, and all their glory is like a wild flower. The grass dies, and the flower falls. But the word of God will live forever." And this is the word (teaching) that was told to you.

This teaching is the secret truth that was hidden since the beginning of time. This truth was hidden from all people. But now that secret truth is made known to God's holy people. God decided to let his people know that rich and glorious truth. That great truth is for all people. That truth is Christ himself, who is in you. He is our only hope for glory. So we continue to tell people about Christ. We use all wisdom to counsel every person and teach every person. We are trying to bring all people before God as people who have grown to be spiritually mature (perfect) in Christ. To do this, I work and struggle using the great strength that Christ gives me. That strength is working in my life.

The Lord is the Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And our faces are not covered. We all show the Lord's glory. We are being changed to be like him. This change in us brings more and more glory. This glory comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.