John writes concerning the timing of the events to follow, “Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come [crucifixion] that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end” (13:1). John also adds these details saying, “And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God…” (13:2-3). The actions and teachings of Jesus to follow occurred on the night of His arrest and prior to His death on the cross for the sins of mankind, but all of this was in God’s plan to redeem the world. When Jesus was finished with supper, He got up from the table and began to wash the feet of the disciples. In Jesus’ day, the streets of Palestine were dusty making it necessary for servants to wash the dirty feet of guests so, in reality, foot washing was an act of hospitality and humility. Luke 22:24 may hold the key as to one of the reasons Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, “Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.” It is possible that this disagreement between the disciples caused Jesus to begin teaching them about serving others (Jesus’ death on the cross would be the ultimate expression of serving others). The disciples seemed embarrassed that Jesus was washing their feet so Peter finally speaks up saying, “Lord, are You washing my feet? You shall never wash my feet!” (13:6-8) Jesus’ reaction to Peter shows that there is also a symbolic meaning behind His actions and the reader must closely follow the conversation between Jesus and Peter, “Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.’ Simon Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ‘He who is bathed [cleansed from sin] needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean…’” (13:9-10). Jesus’ expression of humility served as a symbol of spiritual cleansing and the exclusivity of cleansing through Himself. When Jesus speaks of “he who is bathed,” He is referring to those who had been released (or cleansed) from the penalty of sin through repentance and faith. Those who had been forgiven (cleansed), now only need to “wash [their] feet” meaning they should continually seek forgiveness in everyday life. However, everyone standing before Jesus that day had not been released from the penalty of sin and we will later find out that Judas is the one to whom Jesus refers (13:10b-11).
After finishing the washing of the disciples’ feet, Jesus sits down with them and begins to teach them a lesson in serving others, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him” (13:14-17). Jesus is not literally calling them to wash the feet of others, but on a greater scale He is commanding His followers to humbly serve others by meeting their needs. In a world where people are consumed with being served, Jesus commands those who follow Him to be consumed with serving. Are you serving or just being served?
Dear God, make me a servant to others.
very good