Be a good example

John 13:12-15 (NLT)
12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.


During this period of history people traveled dusty roads wearing sandals. A host would often have a menial servant wash the feet of his guests so they could enjoy the comfort of his home. Yet we find Jesus has just completed the washing of the disciples’ feet. While the disciples would have been glad to have washed the feet of Jesus they found it inconceivable he would wash their feet. Jesus said to them, “I have given you an example to follow.” This was a great lesson for the disciples because it was teaching them Christian humility and the responsibility of giving an example, a pattern, for others to follow.


Our life is a living example. At issue is whether we are good or bad examples. The preference is to be a good example. The Apostle Paul told Timothy, “Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” In the verses above Jesus pointed out we should humble ourselves as an example to others. The Apostle Jude showed us a bad example when he said, “Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.” We choose to be either a good or bad example to others who are watching us. Our actions influence our friends, our spouse, our children, and others. Pray God would lead you to be a good example for others to follow. Pray you will resist the temptation to follow bad examples so as not to lead other astray of suffer the negative consequences for such actions.