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

Friday, September 11, 2026

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

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 we need to 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 his name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

15 Related Resources by Heartlight

John 13:13-15
Devo: Today's Verse
""You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one..."
Jesus' Message in Washing Feet
Illustration of John 13:14
Inspirational illustration of John 13:14 -- Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
A Palm Full of Mercy from a Basin of Grace
Article by Max Lucado
How can a basin of water mean so much to so many? Max Lucado reminds us that mercy may be hard, but it is often the only solution and that solution can only be offered by the one offended.
How dirty were your feet?
Illustration of John 13:15-16
Inspirational illustration of John 13:15-16 -- You call me Teacher and Lord and rightly so for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.
See All 15 Related Resources about John 13:12-15

Illustration

Illustration of John 13:12-15 NLT — "Do you understand what I was doing?"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, September 11, 2026

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'A God of Comfort' (2 Co. 1:3-11)
"Dear Father, great and gentle one, Blessed are you, God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. You are the Father of mercies and the God of all..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Now a Target' (Acts 9:23-25)
"After a while some of the Jews plotted together to kill [Saul because he was proclaiming Jesus as Messiah]. They were watching for him day and night...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 16:19
"Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'He Ransoms Me' (Ps. 55:16-18)
"But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me. Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice. He ransoms me and..."

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.

More What Jesus Did!