Reading: John 13
The story of Jesus washing the disciples feet is truly a beautiful pictures of selfless love. We are told that Jesus had unwavering love for his disciples, even with the knowledge of their flaws and imperfections. “...Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” (v1) This is the same love that Jesus loves us with as well. It is a love that will be with us no matter what. It is a love that will never end.
“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 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.” (v3-5) Jesus, knowing that he had supreme power and majesty as the Son of God, could have dressed himself in the finest clothes, surrounded himself with the richest earthly treasures and been waited on hand and foot. But, instead, the God of the Universe gave us the example of being a servant. He showed us that we have value. He showed us his greatest desire...to give of himself to us so that we can be purified and have an intimate relationship with Him.
He even washed the feet of Judas, knowing that Judas would betray him. His love extends to all men, even those who will reject the love He offers.
Jesus showed us that there is no task of service that should be beneath us. This is something we should remember as we go through our daily lives, being asked to give of our time, our energy and our resources...in our jobs, caring for our families, in the often mundane duties of daily responsibilities and tasks. It is something we should remember when He shows us the needs of others. We are called to be servants to each other. “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.” (v14-15)
Washing the feet of the disciples was an intimate physical cleansing but it also was symbolic of spiritual cleansing. Peter initially didn’t want Jesus to wash his feet because he thought that it was dishonorable for his master to do such a thing. When he realized it had spiritual significance, he quickly jumped to the other extreme and asked for a full body bath. But, Jesus explained that He only needed his feet washed. Spurgeon gives this explanation:
He that believeth in Christ is fully forgiven. He is like a man who has gone into the bath, and washed, but, when he steps out of the bath, and puts his foot on the ground, he often soils it, so that, before he robes himself, he needs to wash his feet again. That is our condition as believers in Jesus; we are washed in his precious blood, and are whiter than snow; but these feet of ours constantly touch this defiling earth, so they need every day to be washed.
If you have accepted the salvation of Jesus you are spiritually washed white as snow. You are 100% forgiven and accepted. You are granted eternal life. But, we live in this fallen, sinful world and we still experience the sinful tainting of living life on this imperfect earth. It is important to daily renew our minds and daily commune with God to keep the grime of life from clinging to us. Daily, we need to let Him wash our feet.