~ John 13:17
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Jesus spoke these words to His disciples after washing their feet in the upper room. It was the night before His crucifixion, and He used this intimate moment to redefine greatness in the kingdom of God. The “things” He referred to were His example of humble service.
The word for “blessed” (makarios) carries the idea of deep, God given flourishing. And the phrase “if you do them” repeats the same theme we heard yesterday. Knowledge alone does not transform a life. Obedience forms a new way of being in the world.
Foot washing was normally reserved for servants. By taking the lowest place, Jesus revealed the shape of His heart and the nature of His mission. He was not simply giving a lesson on manners. He was forming a pattern for His followers.
True greatness, true health, and true joy come from aligning our lives with the character of Christ. His way is a way that produces blessing from the inside out.
This is central to Biblical health because it meets us in the gap between what we know and what we practice. Many people know what would make them healthier physically, mentally, and emotionally, but struggle to act on it. Jesus invites us into a rhythm of embodied obedience where habits are shaped not by pressure but by love. When we follow His pattern of humility, stress loosens its grip.
When we choose service over self absorption, emotional burdens lighten. When we stop racing for status and begin tending to the people God placed in our lives, social health strengthens. Even physical habits shift, because a humble heart is more open to the discipline and stewardship needed to care for the body God entrusted to us.
Jesus ties blessing to doing for a simple reason. The things He calls us to are not chores. They are pathways to life. Serving others creates relational connection. Choosing nourishing, God made foods rather than ultra processed substitutes honors the body and promotes clarity.
Practicing forgiveness, generosity, and patience releases emotional tension that often fuels unhealthy choices. Following Jesus is not about trying harder. It is about stepping into the life He already designed for human flourishing.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for showing me the way of humility and service. I want to move beyond knowing what is right to actually doing it. Form in me habits that reflect Your heart. Help me serve freely, love deeply, nourish my body wisely, and live with a spirit that honors You in every choice. Make obedience my joy and help me walk in the blessing You promised. Amen.
