John 13:15,16 - You should do just as I have done

13:15

“For I have given you an example”. So we have an explicit statement from the lips of Jesus that what He has done is an example of how we should live. It is an example that affects both our attitudes and our actions. There are those who see Jesus as just an example, in particular seeing the cross as primarily a demonstration of God’s love for us. Such an approach is wholly inadequate, but accepting that Jesus did also set us an example in many and various ways. So we should “do just as I have done”.

13:16

A servant is not greater than his master, nor a messenger greater than the one who sends him. So if Jesus was ready and willing to wash His disciples feet, we should have the same attitude. Any notions of “I am too important for that” are not kingdom thoughts. At the same time we need to be sensible. When the matter of feeding the Greek widows arose in the early church (Acts 6:1), the apostles made sure that they were not distracted from prayer and preaching the word. We must not adopt a legalistic attitude to all this. The key thing is the condition of our hearts, if this is right then we are far more likely to make right decisions. We need to be (i) humble in heart; and (ii) free from guilt, knowing the cross has set us free.