The King Who Kneels

This 5-day devotional will help you reflect on Jesus’ unfathomable love, radical humility, and the necessity of His cleansing work. Each day includes Scripture, reflection, and application questions.

Day 1: Jesus’ Love for His Own

Scripture: John 13:1

“Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”

Reflection

The love of Jesus is specific (His own), unwavering, and to the end—to the greatest extent imaginable. His love would lead Him to the cross, where He would bear the weight of our sin. Unlike human love, which often wavers, Christ’s love is eternal, sacrificial, and deeply personal.

Have you fully grasped that Jesus loves you with a saving love that is deeper than you can imagine?

Application

• Spend time meditating on Romans 8:38–39—nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.
• In what ways have you doubted Jesus’ love for you? Confess those doubts and ask Him to help you trust in His unwavering love.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me to rest in Your deep and unfailing love. May I never doubt Your commitment to me, and may Your love transform the way I live. Amen.

Day 2: The Humility of Christ

Scripture: John 13:3–5

“Jesus… laid aside His outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around His waist… and began to wash the disciples’ feet.”

Reflection

Jesus, fully aware that He had all authority (John 13:3), chose to serve. The King of the universe stooped to wash dirty feet, including the feet of Judas, His betrayer.

This moment foreshadowed the cross—just as Jesus took the dirt of their feet into His hands, He would soon take our sin upon Himself at Calvary. True greatness in God’s kingdom is found in humility and selfless love.

Do you serve others the way Christ has served you?

Application

• Read Philippians 2:5–8 and reflect on Christ’s humility.
• Look for one way to humbly serve someone today, even if it’s a task you’d rather avoid.

Prayer

Lord, You humbled Yourself to serve sinners like me. Help me to follow Your example and serve others with love and humility. Amen.

Day 3: The Necessity of Christ’s Cleansing

Scripture: John 13:8

“If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”

Reflection

Peter resisted the idea of Jesus washing his feet, just as many today resist the idea that they must be cleansed by Jesus.

But Jesus’ words are clear—unless He washes us, we have no part with Him. This points beyond physical washing to spiritual cleansing through His sacrifice. No religious ritual or moral effort can make us clean before God—only Christ can.

Have you surrendered to Jesus’ cleansing, or are you still trying to clean yourself?

Application

• Read 1 John 1:7–9 and reflect on the power of Jesus’ cleansing blood.
• Take time to confess any sin today and rest in His forgiveness.

Prayer

Jesus, I recognize that I need to be washed by You. Cleanse me from my sin, and help me trust in Your finished work on the cross. Amen.

Day 4: Not All Are Clean—A Warning from Judas

Scripture: John 13:10–11

“You are clean, but not every one of you.”

Reflection

Judas had his feet washed by Jesus, yet his heart remained unclean. This is a sobering reminder that proximity to Jesus is not the same as salvation.

You can go to church, read the Bible, and be around believers, yet still not belong to Christ. True cleansing comes from genuine faith in Jesus, not religious activity.

Are you truly surrendered to Jesus, or are you just going through the motions?

Application

• Read 2 Corinthians 13:5 and examine your heart.
• Ask God to reveal any area where you may be near Jesus but not truly following Him.

Prayer

Lord, I don’t want to just be close to You—I want to belong to You. Examine my heart and make my faith real. Amen.

Day 5: Following Christ’s Example

Scripture: John 13:14–15

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

Reflection

Jesus calls His followers to serve one another in humility. His foot washing was a demonstration of the kind of love and service we are to show others.

If Jesus, the King of Glory, was willing to kneel and wash feet, how much more should we serve one another in love?

Are you living a life marked by humility and sacrificial love?

Application

• Read Galatians 5:13—serve one another in love.
• Identify one way you can serve someone today in a Christ-like way.

Prayer

Lord, help me to follow Your example of humility and service. Give me a heart that loves and serves others as You have loved me. Amen.

Final Thought

Jesus’ foot washing was not just an act of service, but a picture of salvation. Unless we are cleansed by Him, we have no part with Him.

Have you humbled yourself before the King who kneels?