Today’s reading takes us deep into the events surrounding the Last Supper. In Luke’s gospel, we find Jesus and His disciples gathered at the table, where Jesus reveals that one of them will betray Him unto death. The disciples are shocked that any of them should do such a thing (Luke 22:21-23). According to John’s gospel, this was a deeply troubling moment for Jesus (John 13:21).
As the disciples discuss the news of a betrayal, their conversation quickly turns to who will be the greatest among them. This is a recurring theme for the disciples. In Luke, chapter 9, this same argument occurs after Jesus reveals that they are heading to Jerusalem so He can be betrayed and delivered into the hands of men. It is amazing that in the face of the news of Jesus’s betrayal and death, the disciples turn to arguing about who will be the greatest.
How does Jesus answer His disciples? What do you say to those arguing about who will be the greatest after this announcement of betrayal and death? Jesus gets up from the table, takes a towel, and begins washing His disciples’ feet. When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “…You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. … I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master… (John 13:12–16, ESV) In the hour of His betrayal, when He is deeply troubled, what is Jesus doing? He is taking the most humble of positions and serving.
As believers, what an amazing example to follow, and what a blessing awaits those who follow this example! Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. (John 13:17, NLT) May we as believers put aside grand ambitions of greatness, take a towel, and rejoice in the blessing of serving at a place beneath us—for there is where our Master served.
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Luke 22 and John 13.