Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and apply

scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through Friday,

as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In under four minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's word with you, so let's get started.

Welcome to our study today from John the 13th chapter. Jesus gathers his 12 apostles for a Passover meal just hours before he is arrested. He begins by washing the feet of each of the men. Peter is reluctant to allow this, but Jesus insists. Jesus teaches them that the service of others is at the center of his kingdom.

Jesus then tells them that one of his own will betray him. No one knows that he is referring to

Judas Iscariot. Satan fills Judas's heart and he flees. Jesus then explains that his time

of departure and glorification has come.

He tells them the most important thing they can do is to love each other.

Peter insists on going with Jesus, but he is told that he is not ready

and that he will deny Jesus that very night.

What do we learn from that interaction?

Well, this is the night in which Jesus would be betrayed and

arrested, and yet his focus is on teaching his disciples to care for one another. By washing their

feet and later teaching them about the crucial need for love, he is demonstrating what makes

his kingdom strong in the face of any trial. In our shared walk, there will be betrayers who give

into this world. There will be ignorance, like the apostles who had no idea who would betray Jesus.

There will be disappointment, like Peter's predicted denial of Jesus. God's people can remain

united and strong if we sacrificeally serve, deeply love, and tirelessly support

one another. This is the kingdom of believers Jesus died to establish. Let's look at three questions

to help move forward those ideas into your day. Number one, Jesus said to his disciples that they, quote, ought to wash one

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