John 13:3-5

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

From Background Notes [BN] for August 3^rd & 4^th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

There was also something strangely "holy" about his movements, as if he were, in fact, a priest, as well as a servant, performing with care and love a sacred task within the Temple.

It was as if the very deed was priestly service, a water ritual, poured out in divine worship before God (see Exodus 30:20). Had he been a priest, he might well have washed his own feet, and certainly would have throughout his regular duties poured out water for ceremonial purifications. For this and other reasons, many scholars see the actions of Jesus as prefiguring in a larger sense, what he was about to do on the cross. In a way, the laying aside of his clothing paralleled his laying aside of the heavenly glory and the surrounding himself with human flesh instead. Throughout his earthly life, he had adopted the servant's role, sharing in human need and suffering, offering forgiveness of sins, healing for the body, and food for the soul. All of this he performed at great cost to himself. [BN, 4-5]

Join us this week in Study, Worship, Praise and Celebration at Chicago First Church of the Nazarene:

* Saturday 6:00pm
* Sunday 8:30am & 11:00am, 5:30pm