Washing Feet

 

Scripture: John 13:3-5; 12-15 (ESV)

³ Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, ⁴ rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. ⁵ Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. . .

¹² When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? ¹³ You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

Devotion:

            The Gospel of John records this story of the foot washing as preparation for the Passover meal that was about to be celebrated that night. It was frequent practice for a household servant to wash the feet of guests before eating supper. It appears no servant was present at the house where they were eating the meal. Therefore, one would have expected one of the disciples to wash the feet of the other disciples and Jesus. Since none of the disciples was willing to perform this menial task Jesus takes the towel and basin and washes the feet of his disciples.

            Why does Jesus perform this task of washing his disciple's feet? Commentators have given several guesses, there are some that stand out from the others. First, we consider the possibility that Jesus was teaching his disciples a lesson in servanthood. This is apparent even from a surface reading of the text. Jesus wanted these 12 closest friends to know that they were to be servants of each other. On the evening before Jesus was to perform the ultimate act of servanthood, his death on the cross, he makes the plea for unity in servanthood to his closest followers.

            What else might Jesus have been up to in this scene? Perhaps he was giving his followers an example of how to teach spiritual lessons using physical examples. The fact that Jesus was willing to perform this lowly task for his disciples was to show the disciples that they were to do the same for others. The 12 students in that room were being called to be living examples of Christ’s humility and sacrifice. Indeed, the disciples seemed to have ultimately gotten the lesson from this teaching as they were all willing to give their lives in the service of Jesus and his message of God’s grace to all people in the world.

            What is the lesson Jesus wants us to learn from his actions on that night so long ago? I believe that the most important lesson we can learn may be that the way to love other people is by serving them in whatever way we are able. Just as Jesus loves us and died to cancel our sin debt with the Father, so we must be willing to love each one we meet by pointing them to the source of this great love. Let us all seek to serve each other in Christ-like love.

Prayer:

            Holy God, ruler of the universe who stoops to wash the feet of His creatures, help us to learn the lessons of the upper room. Teach us to be willing to give the ultimate act of service for our friends. Let us give the full measure of our lives in service of your kingdom. Help us understand what act of service you require from us in each circumstance we find ourselves in. May the world look at us and see servants of the living God. Amen.