Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

Have you ever been in a situation where you were so certain about something that you immediately jumped to a conclusion only to find out that you had completely missed the meaning? I know I have! This seems to be a recurring theme for Peter in John 13. As he and the other disciples were gathered together with Jesus on the night before His death, John 13-17 records an evening in which Jesus gave final instructions to prepare them for His death and resurrection. These events would change their lives forever.

Picture this scene unfolding in John 13:3-9 as Jesus begins washing the disciples’ feet. Culturally, that is not something that a leader would ever do which prompted Peter to ask in verse 6, “Are you going to wash my feet?” Although Peter missed the meaning, we see Jesus set him straight in verses 7-9. As we continue through this scene, Peter - perhaps not wanting to openly question Jesus again - prompts John to ask Jesus who is going to betray Him.

Fast forward to John 13:33-38 as this chapter closes, and Peter once again misses the meaning of what Jesus was saying. Peter asks, “Lord, where are you going?” Still missing the meaning after Jesus answers his question, Peter proclaims “I will lay down my life for You.” The response of Jesus is one we’re all familiar with, “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!”

As we will find out in John 18, that’s exactly what Peter does! Repeatedly questioning and disowning Jesus. Doesn’t Peter appear to set a standard of following Jesus that we can all be comfortable with? If I’m being honest, this is a standard that I fall into far more than I’d like to admit. However, this is not the Peter that we see after Pentecost! When he was filled with the same Holy Spirit as we are filled with now, the standard becomes much higher. Peter was transformed from coward to courageous as we see in Acts 4:13: “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished, and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”

We may view it unfathomable that Peter, a man who literally saw all the miracles that Jesus performed, would deny that he knew Jesus on three different occasions. Truth be told, we deny Jesus far more than we likely realize. Although it may not be a verbal denial before others, it can certainly be with our actions. As we see throughout scripture as well as in the transformed life of Peter, this isn’t the standard. Although our faith is personal, it isn’t private.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Have you, like the disciples, been washed clean by Jesus? If not, be washed clean today by simply believing in the gospel and turning from your sin and yourself to Jesus.
• Do you lean on your own understanding, or are you being filled daily with the truth of God’s word?
• What areas of your life do you find that you deny Jesus through your actions?

Family Devo: John 13

By: Carrington Stuart

Today’s story from the book of John is all about how to be a servant leader. Have you ever heard of that? A leader who is also a servant? That’s who Jesus is and who He wants us to be.

One day, right before Jesus went to the cross, He had dinner with His friends, the disciples. After they ate, Jesus put a towel around His waist and started to wash His disciples’ feet. They were so surprised because usually only the servants did that! One disciple, Simon Peter, told Jesus that he didn’t want Him to wash his feet- he thought that Jesus was too important to do that job. But Jesus reminded Simon Peter that to be a good leader, you also have to serve others. Jesus told the disciples that He wanted them to follow His example and serve other people. He knew that He was about to have to go back to Heaven, so He wanted the disciples to keep serving other people even after He was gone.

Jesus wants us to follow His example, too. Even though we don’t have to actually wash somebody’s feet, He wants us to help others even when we have the opportunity. Helping others might not always be easy or fun, but we should serve and love them because Jesus serves and loves us. When you serve others, you are being the hands and feet of Jesus and showing others how much He loves them! Always put other people first, and you will be a leader like Jesus.

• How can you serve someone else this week? Is there something you don’t normally do that you can offer to help with? What are some ways that you can show others the love of Jesus this week?
• Prayer: God, thank You so much for loving us and serving us. I am so glad that Jesus is a good example of how to be a servant AND a leader. I want to show others how to know, love, and follow You just like Jesus did. Please teach me how to put others first and love them because You love me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.