What Jesus Did! 'Do as I Have Done to You!' — John 13:12-15

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

After washing [the disciples'] feet, [Jesus] put on his robe again and sat down and asked, "Do you understand what I was doing? You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and you are right, because that's what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you."
— John 13:12-15 NLT
Illustration of John 13:12-15 NLT — "Do you understand what I was doing?"

Key Thought

Jesus didn't teach just with words. His life was a conscious example lived before his disciples and recorded in the Gospels for us. Two crucial truths that Jesus' life teaches us are how God lived as a human and how we should live as humans. Our challenge is not just to know the words and deeds of Jesus' life. We need to understand those words and deeds as something from God as he lived among us and then incorporate those words and deeds into our own lives. Jesus' life calls us to follow in his steps!

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. Please have your Son's character and compassion come alive in me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Peter 1:21-25
  • Colossians 1:26-29
  • 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

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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.

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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