Jesus Washes His Friends’ Feet

John 13:3-7, 34-35

Our true story is found in a part of the Bible called the Gospel of John. John was one of the friends and helpers of Jesus. And the word "Gospel" means "good news!" 

Our true story is about the ONE most special, most powerful, most important thing Jesus told us to do. Do you want to know what it is? Well, Jesus didn’t just TELL us, Jesus SHOWED us what to do.


One night Jesus was having dinner with His friends, the disciples.


Jesus got up from where He was eating and wrapped a towel around His waist. Then, Jesus poured some water into a bowl. He took the water, knelt down in front of His friends, and began washing their feet.


Wait! Did you hear that? Jesus washed what? Their feet! Their feet probably had a LOT of dirt on them from walking around outside. 


This was a messy, smelly job. Jesus is God’s Son, and He is SO special and important. His friends were surprised that someone so important would do that messy job.


But Jesus washed His friends’ feet, then He took the towel that was wrapped around Him and dried them. When Jesus got to Peter, Peter said, “No, Jesus! Don’t wash my feet.” You see, Peter knew Jesus was so special and so important that he thought Jesus should never do a job like washing dirty feet.


But Jesus said that if Peter was going to follow Him, he would have to let Jesus wash his feet.


Then Peter REALLY wanted Jesus to wash his feet because Peter wanted to follow Jesus. 


After Jesus was done, Jesus told them that He washed their feet to show them how to love people like He loves people. Loving like Jesus is the ONE most special, most powerful, most important thing Jesus told us to do!


So, what are some ways WE can love like Jesus? 


There are so many ways. We can clap and cheer for others.


We can also let someone else go first. 


We can help someone clean up, even if we didn’t make the mess!


There are so many ways that we can love like Jesus, and that is the one most important thing we can do! Who can love like Jesus? Say, "I can love like Jesus!"






Bible Paraphrase: A friend loves at all times. —Proverbs 17:17, NIV

Text Truth: I can love like Jesus.



Family Devotional

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. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
—John 13:12-15

In our Bible story, Jesus did something with water, and it wasn’t swimming. What did Jesus do with water? Jesus washed the feet of His friends, the disciples. Jesus washed His friends’ feet to show them how to love like He does. Now we can love like Jesus, too!

A friend loves at all times. —Proverbs 17:17, NIV

In our Bible story, Jesus showed us one way we can love like Him. So, with your family, make a list of other ways you can love like Jesus. Have each family member write down their “way,” and write down their name next to their “way.”

Pray with your family. Allow any family members to pray if they wish. In your own words, say, “Dear God, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to show us how to love. Please help us love like Jesus and do things like . . . (read the list your family made). You’re the best, God, and we love YOU very much! In Jesus’ name, amen.”

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Some story illustrations are in the Public Domain.

All story illustrations are the property of their various owners.
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