Day 143

2 Samuel 2:12–3:39; John 13:1-30; Psalm 119:1-16; Proverbs 15:29-30

AFTER SAUL’S DEATH, the elevation of David to king of Judah and Ishbosheth to the throne of his father left the nation of Israel in the kind of turmoil one would expect. It led to conflict. The story of Abner (Saul’s general) and Joab (David’s general) is where we spent most of our time today. Abner killed Joab’s brother in a time of war, even though he did everything he could to avoid it. In a time of peace, Joab took his revenge by stabbing Abner to death.

All eyes turned to David after this tragedy, and his humble leadership and acknowledgment of a fallen national hero turned the hearts of Israel’s people toward David.

In John’s Gospel, we found ourselves in the upper room for Jesus’ final meal. It was within this context that, like David, Jesus the King humbled Himself and washed the feet of His disciples.

“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’” Jesus said. “And you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your 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. . . . Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them” (John 13:13-15, 17).

These words of Jesus are very famous, and there isn’t anything veiled about them. Most of us know this story. The question is whether we’ve actually listened to these words. The posture of heart required to lower ourselves to the humble position of washing the filth from the feet of our friends is beautiful but also very difficult in a world where everyone pretends to be flawless and the culture invites us to hide who we really are. According to Jesus, however, this is the path toward blessing from God. Let’s spend time today inviting Jesus to show us how to live out this posture. Only through releasing dominance and control and taking on servanthood will we find the blessings in life that we really seek —and really need.

MEDITATION:

You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands.