260. An Ultimate Act of Service

John 13:1-17

Key Verse: Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to Him; 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.

John 13:3-5

This is such a rich event. I wish that I could write pages on it. My prayer is that, what I say here will cause you to ponder the depths of this episode because I will confess to you now that I already know that my few words will not begin to convey the profound depths of the love and grace that were demonstrated by our Lord in these few moments.

We often mistakenly think that this was the first thing that Jesus did when they all entered the room. In truth, after the cup of Sanctification, there is a ceremonial washing of the hands that takes place. The passage actually says that Jesus "got up from the meal," meaning that the meal was in progress. The disciples were inclined at the low table, leaning on their left elbows with their feet sticking out to the outer edge of the area. This meal is not eaten in haste as the first one was, but at leisure now to celebrate that God has redeemed and we are safe. "He makes me lie down in green pastures." (Psalm 23:2)

First of all, let's remember that Jesus knew who He was. He had created these men and the world and the universe that they lived in. He was the reason that they, or we exist. Yet, rather than expecting them to be grateful to Him, He, the creator of all things, stooped to wash the created feet of men. He had begun His life on this earth in a cow shed of all places. He had been born to such poor people that they could only afford doves for His dedication. He had lived in poverty and worked with His hands even though He knew all things. Now, He stoops, as the lowliest servant, to wash the feet of fishermen, tax collectors and, a traitor.

During the second temptation satan had taunted Jesus by saying: "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from the temple." (Matthew 4:6) That is how the world seeks to prove itself. In love, however, Jesus was now proving who He is by stooping down to wash the disciples' feet and show us all what He truly means by "being the servant of all." (Mark 10:45)

And, what about those feet? John spends most of his time focusing on Peter, who, of all of them, seems to have caught the seeming wrongness of this situation. "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" (John 13:6) Peter is aware of his unworthiness, and also probably aware of how physically dirty his feet are, but at Jesus' insistence, Peter relents because more than anything, He wants to remain a part of Jesus.

There are other feet there, however, feet which, if we knew what Jesus knew about them, we may not have been able to wash. Paul says: "Christ demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:8) John has already told us in verses 1-2, "The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, to betray Jesus." The deal was already done. The thirty pieces of silver were in his purse, yet, Jesus gave Judas the place of honor, next to Him at the table and treated him like all the others by stooping to wash his feet too, remove the dirt from between the toes and off the ankles and then dry them with the towel that was around his waist. This was not done at arms’ length or with disgust, but in love, even though He knew all about the deal, the betrayal and the money in his pocket. How do you put words to that act of love?

He asked them "Do you understand what I have done for you?" And maybe they thought they did. But no, not really. The could not fully appreciate what he had done until after he was risen again in glory. "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." (John 13:13-15)

Hymn: "Jesu, Jesu"