John 13:12–17

So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, 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 should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”

Jesus now takes the time to hammer home the takeaway from the example He just set. He has taught repeatedly about loving your neighbor. Now He teaches the foundation of how to do it without pretending—R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Theoretically, this should be simple, but it’s not. Man’s sinful nature gives everyone the mind of a bully—even if they don’t act it out.

The disciples need to break out of the mindset that their culture—and their sinful nature—has instilled in them. Christianity is different because it’s a different kind of kingdom. Our king isn’t a bit greater than everyone else; He’s infinitely greater.

His subjects shouldn’t get too excited about their own greatness.

When I was young, put-down jokes were all the rage. The targets were mostly ethnicities, religions, and blondes—especially blondes. We loved to joke about how stupid everyone else was.

Nowadays we’ve dialed back the digs a bit, but our attitude hasn’t really changed. We can memorize how God created everyone in His image ‘til we’re blue in the face and still not take it to heart. Same for the Declaration of Independence’s line, “All men are created equal.”

The secret is understanding what Jesus taught here. We all know we’re better at some things and worse at others, but our abilities aren’t all that impressive in the grand scheme of things. The One who is impressive gave a demonstration of how we should act.

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 should do as I have done to you.

Our abilities are not where dignity and respect come from anyway. They come from Genesis 1:27.

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Let’s be honest; we’re not wired for humility. You don’t learn this lesson overnight; you learn it over a lifetime.

And the more you learn it, the more you realize you don’t know the half of it.

These Monday—Friday DEEPs are written by Mike Slay. The Saturday DEEPs are written by Matt Richardson. To subscribe to all the DEEPs click here:

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The weekly study guides, which include the Monday–Friday devotionals plus related questions for discussion or meditation, are available for download here:

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.