JOHN 13:2-7 – During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”
THEME OF THE DAY: MASTER, LORD, TEACHER. Every true Christian knows the Lord Jesus beyond the child-like trust of Savior. Yes, we start at this stage in the spiritual life and we grow from there. The Apostle John reminds us of the various stages of growth we are to experience as believers – I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one (1 John 2:12-14).
As we mature in our relationship with the Lord Jesus, we understand more His Lordship over our lives. He goes beyond Savior to Master, Lord, and Teacher. It is the last one we focus on today – Teacher. Later in today’s scripture, John 13, Jesus would tell His disciples explicitly this is Who He is to them, and to us – When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you (John 13:12-15).
When we recognize Jesus as Master and Lord, this is not difficult to grasp. Yes, difficult to live, but not understand. Both roles are that of authority. We are His possession with the responsibility to submit to His rightful position of rule over us. But what about Teacher? We may not struggle with His role of teaching in our lives. The struggle is with the timing of His lessons being taught to us. It happened to Peter in today’s scripture. Jesus is washing the disciples’ feet. Peter doesn’t get it. And Jesus said, “You are right. You don’t get it now, but soon you will.”
While living the Christian life with Jesus teaching us the way, we don’t always get the lesson immediately. Peter doesn’t but Jesus encourages Him saying, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” And it will be the same for us at times. Don’t fret. Don’t overthink. Just rest, by faith, that the Lord Jesus is teaching us, and soon, our Teacher will reveal the lesson learned. We may trust His Word when we don’t know His ways.
PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for Your patience with me as I am often a slow learner in Your school.”
QUOTE: “Jesus, our Teacher, determines the length of His instruction and timing of our understanding.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim