John 13:1–17

Read the passage.

There are two different themes being presented in this passage: Jesus loves and serves His disciples, and Judas is about to betray Him. Today, take note of all the times Judas is mentioned or alluded to, but keep it for next time because we will focus on Jesus first.

Jesus knows that the hour of His death is coming soon, so He shows love to His disciples. Verse 3 is interesting because it gives the reason for washing their feet this night as His heavenly origin and destination. The Word of God, by Whom the universe was created, knows He will return to glory with the Father in Heaven soon, and therefore does the job reserved for the most junior house slave. Remember, feet were particularly gross at that time and place. Sandals were the prevailing fashion, not close-toed shoes. Animals walked the streets too, and sanitation involved scooping it away, if you were lucky. The climate was somewhat dry, so there was a lot of dust that got kicked up and settled on you, and I just told you what kind of dust made it up. Washing your guests feet was a normal, expected part of hospitality, but it was a job delegated to someone who couldn’t complain about it.

Peter objects to his Teacher demeaning Himself this way, but Jesus explains that it is a representation of His love for Peter, and to reject Jesus’s washing is to reject Jesus. That changes Peter’s tune immediately, so he tries to make sure that he has all of Jesus’s love by having his head and hands washed too. Jesus corrects that idea as well by saying it is not necessary because the disciples have already been cleansed, but not all of them. Clearly the washing is a metaphor for the forgiveness of sin, but not all of the disciples have accepted that Jesus can do that or will do that for them.

Once He is done washing their feet, Jesus explains that He has done this as an example for the disciples to follow. Just as He has lowered Himself to wash off their dirt and forgive their sins, they (and we who believe as well) can humble ourselves and serve each other, and forgive each other. If Christ in His infinite holiness and splendor can lower Himself to do a menial task like this, who are we to refuse to do the same thing, especially when we received that honor and mercy from Him first?

Help us to forgive as You have forgiven us.