October 29th~The Greatest Among You

Mark 14:1, 2

Matthew 26:1-5

Luke 22:1, 2


Mark 14:10,11

Matthew 26:14-16

Luke 22:3-6

Mark 14:12-16

Matthew 26:17-19

Luke 22:7-13

John 13:1-20

Mark 14:17-26

Matthew 26:20-30

Luke 22:14-30

John 13:18-30

Jesus and the disciples met in Jerusalem for the Passover celebration and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. Satan, knowing that the priests and teachers of religious law were looking for a way to get their hands on Jesus, “entered into Judas Iscariot,” to carry out his plans and betray Him. (Luke 22:3, 4). Jesus knew His betrayer, identified Him at the Passover meal, and confirmed, before the rest of the disciples, that it was all part of God’s plan (v.22). He was to die, “as the Scriptures declared long ago” (Mark 14:21).

During the last supper, two other notable events occurred. First, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. Although His actions took everyone by surprise, they revealed Jesus as the Suffering Servant who was prophesied in the Old Testament. Not only was He setting an example for His followers of unconditional love, humility, and servitude, He identified those who belonged to Him. “You are clean,” He said, “but that isn’t true of everyone here” (John 13:10). Jesus, of course, was talking about Judas, who did not believe.

The other notable event that occurred that night was the institution of the Lord’s Supper. Jesus gave new meaning to the bread and wine of the Passover meal. When He broke the bread, He said, “This is My body, given to you.” Of the wine He said, “This wine is the token of God’s new covenant to save you, an agreement sealed with the blood I will pour out for you” (Luke 22:19, 20).

Today, the Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of the Church, a means by which the followers of Christ remind themselves of His sacrifice for sin. “Do this in remembrance of Me,” He said (v.19). Also, with this act, Jesus established the New Covenant (Testament). The Old Covenant, with its sacrificial system, would be replaced and sealed by the blood of the Lamb of God.

Daily Reflection

By washing everyone’s feet, Jesus was settling a dispute that the disciples had that night, regarding who was the greatest among them. “Among you,” Jesus said, “those who are the greatest should take the lowest rank; the leader should be like the servant... Since I, the 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 13:14; Luke 22:26).

These words shattered every prideful thought the disciples had, for Jesus had upended their understanding of what it meant to be “great.” He alone was great, yet He was the Suffering Servant, humble and willing to stoop in order to help others.

What does it look like to “wash the feet” of others today? What are some ways that you are “washing the feet” of others?

Why does “washing people’s feet” contradict our natural tendencies?

Are you a great person, looking for positions of authority or service? Are you looking for ways to wash others’ feet, or are you expecting them to wash yours?

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Day 302 — 63 Days to Go