PAID FORWARD

John 13: 3 – 15


15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

When Jesus was setting an example for the disciples by washing their feet, they really didn't get it.
At least Peter appeared to be clueless.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
8 "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
9 "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
10 Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you."

To me it seems that Jesus was paying it forward. There was a movie by that name a few years ago about a young kid who wanted to make a difference in his world. Because of his actions, many people began doing good deeds for each other without any further encouragement and expecting nothing in return.
Jesus wanted to show the full extent of His love by submitting to being a lowly servant as a symbol of his sacrifice to come.
Talk about paying it forward. 2000 years ago, Jesus paid forward an act that saved us today.
If we are to follow the example of Jesus, it would be a good thing if we began to make a difference in our world by serving other people “without encouragement, and expecting nothing in return”.
In doing so, we will reap the greatest of rewards. Another soul won for the Kingdom. Another person, who by witnessing our behaviors, may begin to accept the Lord and do the same for others.

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.

Imagine how different our world would look if we showed the love of Jesus.