A Servant to All _ John 13:1-17

O Beloved, I've so looked forward to this series. Each year leading up to Easter I try to find ways in which I can truly meditate on the full weight of all Jesus endured for each of us and this year I'd like to be transported back to this time - this week; to truly study the culture of the day and understand all that was going on around them, beyond what is written down. Today, we'll look at Jesus' loving act of washing the dusty feet of His disciples.

John 13:1-17

The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus… got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing,… and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. — John 13:2-5

It has been a long day. The streets of Jerusalem have been crowded with visitors who have come to celebrate the Passover. Surely everyone who is anyone has heard the rumors of this man who speaks as one with authority- who has healed the lame, sick and blind and has actually just recently raised a man called Lazarus from the dead! Everywhere Jesus went people were pressing in to simply catch a glimpse of this man if nothing more.

It was a warm spring day and the streets were dusty and dry. The disciples were a long way from home and are ready to recline at a table away from the crowds and enjoy an evening meal with Jesus.

They enter an upper room that has been reserved for them, and one by one, they take their place around the table. They are all guests here in this room where there aren’t any servants waiting to serve and wash their feet as they enter. There is, however a towel hanging on the wall, and a pitcher and a basin sitting close by on the floor. Any one of the disciples could rise to volunteer to wash the feet of their friends, but no one does, for after all some have been wondering just who would be the greatest when Jesus comes into His kingdom and the task of  washing guest's feet was the job of the lowliest in the household.

 Suddenly, Jesus stands and lays aside His outer garment, wraps the towel around His waist, pours water into the basin, and kneels down before one of the disciples and begins to remove his sandals and wash his feet. One dusty foot after another, Jesus begins to work His way around the table.

John tells us that once Jesus made his way to Peter, Peter begins to object, but I have to wonder… was Peter the only one who voiced an objection? Were the others silent and stupefied – wondering why Jesus would do such a thing? 

The King of the universe was bending down again to serve. The hands that had created the world in which they walked were now washing away the filth on their feet. It was now only hours before Jesus would be arrested, beaten and crucified for each of them and us. Why has Jesus felt the need to do such a thing?

Jesus knew one pair of feet at the table will abandon and betray Him that very night. And the others will all flee as quickly as they can the moment Jesus is arrested, except one pair who would deny knowing Him three times before the rooster would crow.

Jesus knew each of these men would soon hang their heads in shame and look down at their feet, and He wants them to remember how He knelt down before them to wash their feet and the words He spoke, 

“Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.  “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.  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.  Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." (John 13:12-17) 

For one day very soon they would be given the task to begin the New Testament church. 

My takeaway (and I hope you'll share your insights with me as well) is Jesus was still about His Father’s business at this time knowing that His work on earth is about to end and He will soon be taken off the earth. I believe this act of washing the disciples' feet at this time is a symbolic act of cleansing and purifying, so that their spiritual walk following Him would be holy and spotless. 

And the neat thing is; He still does this today with each one who gives their heart to Him! He still carefully washes away our dust and grime with living water and then uses His own covering to refresh, restore and make us fit for His kingdom work.

Blessing, 

sue