One of my children (who shall remain nameless) loves to sign my birthday and Mother’s Day cards, “Your FAVORITE child.” It’s an obvious attempt to provoke the siblings, and it’s all in good fun, but there is something revealing in the sentiment. We all want to feel special and loved for who we are, but we can also want to be first, to be the favored one, to be considered the best. This was certainly true of the disciples who frequently argued over who would be in positions of honor in Jesus’ kingdom. The Gospels record more than one of their debates over who would be Jesus’ right-hand man. The disciples didn’t yet understand how radically different Jesus’ reign would be, but they were going to find out.
In the scene we’re going to witness today, Jesus meets the disciples’ need to be loved and valued, while subverting their idea of what honor and privilege among his followers looks like.
Read
John 13:1–15 (NIV)
13 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
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, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
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. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Why are Jesus’ actions so shocking in this scene? What example is he setting?
Reflect
Although Jesus and his disciples undoubtedly had many meals together, this one is significant because it is not only the last one they will have, but also because they are gathered to celebrate the Passover. Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of the Passover feast. He is the sacrificial Lamb who would willingly lay down his life to take away the sins of the world. Jesus came to serve, not to be served (Matthew 20:28).
I love how verse one helps us understand Jesus’ motivation for this whole encounter — love. “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” He loved his disciples with a self-giving, sacrificial love that would ultimately empower them and give them hope to endure his departure. He demonstrated this love in an act that would have been truly shocking to anyone living in the first century. He washed his disciples feet.
Walking dusty roads well traveled by humans and livestock made for some dirty feet. It was common for a host to provide water to wash a guest’s feet, but a slave would do the actual washing. Yet, the Messiah, the incarnate Son of God, the ultimate Savior and King bends down before his followers and gently cleans their dirt covered feet. It would be an astounding act of humility today. In the status-obsessed Roman culture of the first century, it was downright scandalous. It provides us with a beautiful picture of who Jesus is and how he calls us to relate to each other.
John makes it clear that Jesus was not only washing the feet of his friends, but his enemy. Judas had already decided to betray Jesus, yet Jesus serves him in the same way he serves all the others. This is the way God treats those who betray him. Those who spurn his love and reject his provision. The ones who turn their backs on Jesus to run after the things of this world. A reckoning will ultimately come and sin will be judged, but before that, he offers his unconditional love and mercy.
In Philippians 2:5–8, Paul helps us put this scene in its cosmic context and echoes the very message that Jesus is sending:
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Paul says, “Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” Jesus says, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
When we gather around tables with one another, let’s remember Jesus’ act of humility and service. Let’s lay aside our pride, our feelings of entitlement, and our insistence on being in the privileged position. Let’s listen, serve, and be willing to give of ourselves in sacrificial love. Let’s help people feel valued, and point them to Jesus as the ultimate love-giver.
What are some modern equivalents to foot-washing? How can we show honor to others?
What are some ways you can serve those closest to you? Your friends and family?
How can you show love to people who oppose you? Misunderstand you? Even betray you?
Respond
As you spend time in prayer today, praise Jesus for his humble, sacrificial service to you. Thank him for his willingness to go to the cross to save you. Invite the Spirit to convict you for any pride or entitlement that you routinely show to those around you. Ask him how to humbly serve others.
