The Prosperity Gospel
Matthew, Mark, and Luke spend time talking about what Jesus has to say to the Twelve at the Passover meal, the last night of his life: “This is my body….This is my blood.”
John, however, characteristically chooses to tell us something different from that which the other Evangelists tell us, namely that Jesus, in the manner of a Roman slave, washes the filth off the feet of his disciples. It is an act of astounding servility, and Jesus intends it to shock the Twelve into showing them something important about following him.
Consider:
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. [John 13:12-17]
I don’t think I’d noticed that before:
“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
WHOA. Talk about the Prosperity Gospel.
Whom can you serve today by humbling yourself and imitating Jesus?